Live & Learn Environmental Education

www.livelearn.org

Final Report: Key Findings, Recommendations & Options

Live & Learn Environmental Education

www.livelearn.org

ReportpreparedforthePowerandWaterCorporation,RemoteOperations.November
2010.ThisworkwascompletedundertheCommunityWaterPlanninginitiative,developing
appropriatewaystoimprovewatermanagementonIndigenouscommunities.

PowerandWaterCorporation
POBox37471,Winnellie,NT0821
Australia:1800245092
International:+61889234681
www.powerwater.com.au

ResearchedanddevelopedbyLive&LearnEnvironmentalEducationInc.
Authors:JessAbrahams&RobbieHenderson

Live&LearnEnvironmentalEducation
18WarburtonSt(cornerofLindsayAve.)
POBox2796
AliceSprings,0871
NorthernTerritory,Australia

Tel:+61(0)889523924
Website:www.livelearn.org

Acknowledgements

ThisprojectanddevelopmentoftheCommunityWaterRangerPilotProgramManualwas
madepossiblebythesupport,assistanceandparticipationofmanyorganisationsand
individuals.Wethankthemforsharingtheirexperiences,opinions,aspirationsandnew
ideasthathavemadeavaluablecontributiontothiswork.Inparticularwethank:

RAPparticipants:(Women):GriseldaBeasley,ZezaEgan,LucyJackson,JulieWauchope,
MaureenJohnson,GabriellaBeasley,ValdaShannon,SavannahLong,PamelaMick,Gwen
BrownandNicoletteFrank;(Men):JoeBeasley,MartinSpratt,DannyWalker,FrancisJones,
DamienBrown,AlstonNelson,HestonDickenson,StamosLane,VirgilDowns,JarvisJohnson,
BoydSimpsonandDarrenCarr.

Otherstakeholderswhoprovidedassistance:(BarklyShire):SharonMackenzie,Richard
Brady,JeffIversen,BarryLovegrove,BarryDriverandRonColls;(FAHCSIA):MichaelGeorge
andLucyJackson;(DEET)MegMcGrath;(JRES)AdamRandall;(Centrefarm):GregMcAdam

Wehavedoneourbesttothankeveryonewhohasmadeasignificantcontributionand
apologiseforanyonewemayhaveoverlooked.

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Contents

Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 4
SustainableDevelopmentModel ................................................................................... 6
ExecutiveSummary ....................................................................................................... 7
PartA:ResearchofAspirationsandPerceptions(RAP).................................................... 10
RAPMethodology........................................................................................................ 10
RAPFindings................................................................................................................ 13
Theme1:Perceptionsoftheimportanceofwaterindailylife...................................... 13
Theme2:Perceptionsondecisionmakingandresponsibilityforwaterinthe
community...................................................................................................................... 21
Theme3:Perceptionsaboutwork(paidandvoluntary)................................................ 22
Theme4:Perceptionsofcommunitystrengths,organisation&capacity ..................... 24
LessonslearnedfromtheRAPworkshopprocess......................................................... 27
Discussionofshared,communitywideincentives ....................................................... 29
PartBRecommendations.............................................................................................. 31
RecommendationsforaWaterConservationProgram ................................................ 31
PartCWaterConservationProgram.............................................................................. 38
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 39

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Introduction

Live&LearnEnvironmentalEducationwascontractedbyPowerandWater
CorporationtodesignacommunitywaterconservationprogramforaprograminAli
Curung.Theoverallaimoftheprojectwastodesigneffectivemethodstoengage
andempowerIndigenouscommunitiestomanagedemandforwaterandtoachieve
tangiblesavings.AliCurungwasthesecondhighestwateruseramongremote
AboriginalcommunitiesintheNorthernTerritoryandthusanidealcandidatefora
waterconservationprogram.

Live&Learnhasdesignedthecommunitywaterconservationprogrambyemploying
theprinciplesofourSustainableDevelopmentModel(SDM).Thebasicpremiseof
theSDMistoenableandempowercommunitiestoachievegreaterselfreliancein
meetingtheirownneedsthroughincreasedparticipation,ownershipand
developmentofrelevantknowledgeandskills.Thisapproachcontrastswitha
servicedeliverymodel,whichisthecurrentNorthernTerritorystandardintermsof
howservicesareaccessedandprovidedinremotecommunities.Thedifference
betweentheSDMandaservicedeliveryapproacharedescribedfurtherinDiagram
1.

TheSustainableDevelopmentModelisnotanoutcomeofthisconsultancy.However
theprinciplesofthemodelareintegratedintothedesignofthewaterconservation
program,andareevidentintheprocessandthinkingemployedinitsdevelopment.
Forexample,theproposedwaterconservationprogramfocusesonemployingand
developingthecapacityoflocalAboriginalpeopletoimplementwaterconservation
activitieswithintheirowncommunities.Analternative(andmoretypical)approach
wouldhavebeentodesignacomprehensivewaterconservationprogramthata
waterconservationexpertfromoutsidethecommunitywouldimplement.Insome
respectsthiswouldhavebeeneasier,astherewouldbelesschallengestoovercome
intermsofstaffcapacity,andthestartupcostsofsuchanapproachwouldbeless.
Howevertheexpectationsofalastingchangeinloweringwaterusagewouldbe
quitelowfromthisapproach.Thesustainabledevelopmentapproachhasmany
advantagesincludingbuildinglocalcapacityforchange,whichhasthepotentialto
gofurther,beseenasmorelegitimatefromacommunityperspectiveandbelonger

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lasting.Inthemediumtolongtermitisalsolikelytobemorecosteffectiveasthe
needtobuyinexternalexpertiseisreduced.

Thisreportisorganisedintothreeparts.PartAsummarisesthekeyfindingsofthe
ResearchofAspirationsandPerceptions(RAP)study,whichwasundertakenwith
menandwomeninAliCurung.Thestudyfocusedoncommunityperceptions,
knowledge,capacity,strengthsandbarriersrelevanttowaterconservationand
relatedwork.PartBdrawsfromtheRAPfindingstomakeaseriesof
recommendationsforthedesignandmanagementofawaterconservationprogram
forAliCurung,whichwouldpotentiallybesuitableforreplicationinother
communities.PartCprovidesanoutlineofaWaterConservationProgramwhichhas
beendesignedforapilotphaseandformsappendicestothemaindocument.

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Darwin 1: Sustainable Development Model

Dominating Service Delivery Model

GovernmentAgencies

Privateserviceproviders
(Outsidecommunity)

Dependency
Assesscommunityneeds

Unsustainable

Provideservices,repairs,
maintenance&runningcosts

Disempowering

Expensive

ManagementofNatural
Resources

Proposed Sustainable Development Model

Ownership
Empowerment

Participation
of
Community
members

Selfreliance
andlivelihoods
options

Criticalawareness&
learning

Participation
SelfReliance

Communitymobilisation
&behaviourchange

CriticalThinking

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Executive Summary

Corefindingscontainedinthisreportareasfollows:

WaterconservationisalowpriorityforresidentsinAliCurung,although
communitymemberscanreadilyrecognisewherewaterisbeingwasted.
Participantscouldidentifyfewifanyshortorlongtermseriousconsequences
ofwastingwater.

ThefinancialconsequencesforwaterwastinginAliCurungarefargreaterfor
PowerandWaterthantheyareforIndigenousresidentsortheBarklyShire.

LeaksfromPowerandWaterwatersupplyinfrastructureareamajor
contributiontohighwaterconsumptioninAliCurung.Outdoorresidential
andcommunitywateruse(e.g.lawnwateringandwastefulwaterplayby
children)arealsocontributingfactors.

BarklyShireCDEPmanagementstaffareanidealcommunitygroupto
facilitateandadministerawaterconservationprograminAliCurung

CDEPworkerswereidentifiedasthegroupbestplacedtomobilise(viatop
upemployment)tocarryoutwaterconservationwork,withsupportfrom
communityElders.

Watersavingactivitiesthatwaterconservationworkerscouldfocuson
include:
o Undertakeauditing,makeminorrepairsandretrofitswithin
residentialdwellingsandworkplaces
o Improveefficiencyofwateruseinparksandgardens
o Undertakeauditingandimprovereportingandresponsetimeto
residentialandcommunityleaks.

ApercentageofthesavingsinwaterproductioncoststoPowerandWater
frommeasurableimprovementsinwaterconservationcouldbereinvested
inthelocalwaterconservationprogramtoensurethesavingsareongoing.A
percentageofthesavingscouldalsoberetunedtothecommunitytohelp
fundacommunityaspirationproject,providinganattractivecommunity
incentivetocontinuewaterconservation.

Basedonthecorefindings,Live&Learnhavedeveloped15recommendationsfor
thedesignanddevelopmentofacommunitywaterconservationprogram.

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Insummarytherecommendationsareasfollows(explainedindetailinthebodyof
thereport):
Summaryofrecommendations

1. PowerandWatertakeadvantageofthesignificantfinancialopportunitythat
currentlyexiststoinvestinwaterconservationinAliCurung.Weestimate
thatsavingsintheorderof$106,000peryearinavoidedproductioncostsare
possible.
2. A10percentor20precentreductionindailyconsumptionisarealistic
objectiveforawaterconservationprograminAliCurung.
3. Werecommendthatthehighestpriorityfortheuseofsavingsfromreduced
supplycostsistoreinvestaportioninprovidingongoingfundingtothe
waterconservationprogram.
4. Werecommendthatreinvestingsavingsfromreducedsupplycostsinto
innovative,sharedcommunitywideincentivestofurthersavewaterwould
beaworthwhileoptiontomotivatebehaviourchange.
5. WerecommendthatsavingsmadebyBarklyShireinreducedwaterbillsbe
reinvestedbacktothelocalcommunitytohelpfundthecostsassociated
withtheprogram.
6. Astable,locallybasedinstitutionororganisationisrequiredtomanage
ongrounddeliveryofawaterconservationprogram.
7. CommunityWaterRangersareprovidedwithrelevanttraining.Thereisa
rangeoffundingsupport,existingprogramsandopportunitiesavailablethat
couldbeutilised.
8. CommunityWaterRangerswearauniformwithadedicatedbadgeorlogoto
helpestablishcommunityrecognitionoftheprogramandtheroleofa
Ranger.
9. Effectivemonitoringisessentialtomeasureprogramoutcomesandcreate
opportunitiesforlearningandstrengtheningaprogram.
10. ThePowerandWaterCommunityEngagementOfficerSouthpositioncould
haveakeyroleintheimplementationofthisproject.
11. Elderscouldsupport,mentorandoffervaluablelegitimacytoawater
conservationproject.
12. Thatlocalfamiliescouldhelpinsupportingworkerswithculturalandsocial
issues.
13. Pilotorpretestacommunitywaterconservationprogramthatcould
potentiallybescaleduporreplicated.
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14. Referencecaseorbusinessasusualwateruseshouldbemeasuredoverthe
periodofthepilotandresultsbemonitoredandevaluatedafterthetrial.

Thefindingsandrecommendationsdescribedinthisreportwhereusedtodesigna
CommunityWaterRangerprogram.ACommunityWaterRangerpilotproject
manualhasbeendevelopedandcontainsguidancetoprojectmanagersonhowto
establish,supportandoperateaCommunityWaterRangerprogram.Themanual
includes;(i)programobjectives;(ii)approachesforachievingwatersavings;(iii)
structureoftheprogram,includinggovernance,rolesandresponsibilities;(iv)
methodstoprovideorientation,supportandempoweremployees;(v)training;(vi)
projectmanagementtools;(vii)monitoringandevaluationmethods;and(viii)
detailedinstructionsandtoolsfortheactivities(dailytasks)thatCommunityWater
Rangerswouldperform.

Theprogramisinitsdesignphase,andhencetheprogramguidedevelopedisjust
that,aguide.Itisenvisionedthatthisguidewouldbeupdatedandimprovedby
implementationofthepilotprogram,monitoringandevaluatingthepilotandusing
theselearningstorefinethedesignoftheCommunityWaterRangerprogram.

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Part A: Research of Aspirations and Perceptions

(RAP)

RAP Methodology

Live & Learn endeavors to design community development programs with

participationofcommunitymembers.TheResearchofAspirationsandPerceptions
(RAP) approach provides a rapid assessment of social, cultural, economic and
environmentalfactorswithinacommunity.Thefindingsareusedtoguidethedesign
ofprogramstoincreaserelevance,respondtoneedsandaspirations,andcreatean
empoweringenvironmentbybuildinguponexistingstrengths.

The goal of the RAP is to enable program designers and managers to: (i) start the
program from where communities and institutions are at; (ii) develop an
understandingofhowthesocial,economic,culturalandenvironmentalsystemsare
interrelated and dependant on each other; (iii) identify gaps in community and
institutionalcapacitytoimplementawaterconservationprogram;and(iv)providea
foundationforthebuildingofpartnerships.TheRAPisapracticaltoolthatwasused
toinformthedetaileddesignofthewaterconservationprogram.

InDecember2009,11womenofvariousagesincludingkeycommunityElders,
participatedinatwodaywomensRAPworkshop.InFebruary2010,13menof
variousages,predominantlyinvolvedintheCommunityDevelopmentEmployment
Program(CDEP),participatedinatwodaymensRAPworkshop.AyouthRAPwas
notundertakenseparatelybecauseyoungpeople(aged20to25)wereadequately
representedinthemensandwomensworkshops.Semistructuredinterviewswere
alsoconductedwithPowerandWaterandBarklyShirestaff.Informaldiscussions
withotherShirestaffandcommunitymembershavealsoinformedtheRAPprocess,
ashasaninitialpresentationtotheAliCurungLocalBoard.

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TheRAPprocesswasguidedbyanumberofkeyresearchquestionsorganisedwithin
fourthemes,aspresentedinTable1.TheRAPworkshopsareimplementedusing
highlyparticipatoryfacilitatedactivitiestocriticallyexploreanswerstotheresearch
questions.Theactivitiesaredesignedtoencouragedeepthinkingandtoremove
barrierstoparticipation,suchasliteracy,orsocialbarrierssuchascultureorgender.

RAPparticipantsexaminebarriersthatpreventpeoplefromsucceedingin
workandidentifystrategiestoovercomesuchbarriers.

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Table1:Researchthemesandkeyresearchquestions

Theme

Keyresearchquestions

Perceptionsoftheimportance Howimportantiswaterasanissueorconcern
ofwaterindailylife

relativetootherissuesandconcernsaffecting
communitylife?
Whatdoesthecommunityaspiretousewaterfor?

Whataretheconsequencesofwastingwater?

Perceptionsondecision

Whocurrentlymakesdecisionsand/ortakes

makingandresponsibilityfor

responsibilityforwater(attheresidentialand

waterinthecommunity

wholecommunityscale)?

Whoshouldberesponsibleforwater(atthe
residentialandwholecommunityscale)?

Perceptionsaboutwork(paid

Whatarethesocialandeconomicbenefitsofwork

andvoluntary)

(paidandvoluntary)?
Whatarethebarrierstowork?

Whatarethemotivatorstowork?

Perceptionsofcommunity

Whatarethecommunitysstrengthsandassets

strengths,organisation&

(individual,communityandnatural/physical

capacity

resources?
Whichgroupsorindividualswouldbemostlikelyto
participateinawaterconservationprogram?

Note:LimitationsoftheRAPapproachshouldbenotedwheninterpretingthe
findings.TheRAPdoesnotrepresentcomprehensivesocialresearch,butrather
providesacursorystudytoassistwithprojectdesign.Careshouldbetakenwhen
extrapolatingthefindingstogroupsbeyondthoseparticipatingintheRAP.

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RAP Findings

ThefindingsofourresearchontheAliCurungcommunitysaspirationsand
perceptionsofwaterconservationaresummarisedbelowunderthefourtheme
headingsandresearchquestions.

Theme 1: Perceptions of the importance of water in daily life

Howimportantiswaterasanissueorconcernrelativetootherissuesandconcerns
affectingcommunitylife?

TheRAPphaseoftheprojecthasclearlyidentifiedthatwaterconservationisnota
highpriorityineverydaylifeatAliCurung.InfactNotWastingWaterwas
consistentlyrankedlastornearlastincomparisonwithotherissuesincluding
CulturalBusiness,Jobs,HealthCare,etcinbothmensandwomensRAP
workshops.Table2summarisesparticipantsrankingofissues.

Table2.RAPparticipantsrankingofimportanceofissues
Waterbeingwasted(highlightedinblue)wasrankedloworoflowestimportanceby
mostgroups,exceptyoungwomen.

Olderwomen

Younger

Oldermen

women

Middleaged

Youngermen

men

#1Cultural

#1Payingfor

#1Cultural

business

electricity

business

business

#2Healthcare #2Cultural

#2Jobs

#2Healthcare #2Water
beingwasted
#3Jobs

#3Jobs

#1Healthcare #1Cultural

business
#3Jobs

#3Jobs

#3Payingfor
electricity

#4Sportand

#4Healthcare #4Water

recreation
#5Payingfor

#5Sportsand

electricity

recreation

#6Water

#6Culture

beingwasted

#4Payingfor

#4Healthcare

beingwasted

electricity

#5Paying

#5Sportand

#5Sportand

recreation

recreation

#6Sportand

#6Water

#6Water

recreation

beingwasted

beingwasted

electricity

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FemaleRAPparticipantsdebatetheimportanceoflocalissues(presented
aspictograms)andrankthemaccordingtoimportance.

Despitethelackofconcernaboutwastingwater,thediscussionswehadwith
residentsclearlydemonstratedthatpeopleinAliCurungcananddo,understandand
appreciatetheimportanceofwaterconservation.Whenaskedwhereiswaterbeing
wasted?residentsreadilyidentifiedanumberofkeyareas:

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LeakingandburstpipesParticipantsandShirestaffsaidthattheageing
andunmappedwaterinfrastructureisdifficulttomaintainwithunderground
pipesregularlyleakingandbursting.

ExcessivewateringoflawnsandtreesParticipantsintheRAPwereproud
ofAliCurungsgreenpublicparksandlawns,howeveraboveground
sprinklersoftenrun24/7.(Onepublicparkdoesactuallyhavepopup
sprinklers,whichwaterthelawneffectivelyonatimersystem.)

ChildrenswaterplayMenandwomenconsistentlyidentifiedchildrenas
wastersofwater.Childrenwantingtocooldowninthesummerheatare
knowntoswiminrubbish(wheelie)binsfilledwithwaterandtoturnonfire
hydrants,butnotturnthemoffagain.Onemaleparticipantreportedbathing
inanoldfreezer.

TankoverflowBothmaleandfemaleparticipantsreportedthatwater
overflowsfromthetownswatertowerheadertankonaregular(weekly)
basis,althoughtheEssentialServicesOperatordidntbelievethiswasthe
case.

RunningtapsSomemaleparticipantsagreedtapsbeingleftonwasacause
ofwaterwastagewhileothersdidntbelieveitwasthecase.Asresearchers,
wewitnessedtapsleftrunningingardensandschooltoilets,aswellasthe
ArtCentresevaporativeairconditionerrunning24/7withexcessivebleed
(about15L/min).

DomesticleaksParticipantsalsoreportedleakingtoiletsandtapsin
peopleshouses,andwhilethereisahousingmaintenanceservicetorepair
leaks,itwasunclearhoweffectivereportingandresponseratesare.Some
participantssaidthatleakswerefixedpromptlywhenreported,whileothers
saidthatitsometimestookalongtimeanddependedonhowbusythe
plumberandotherserviceproviderswere.Whenquestioned,participants
agreedthatslowresponsetimestoreportedproblemscouldaffectthe
motivationofresidentstoreportproblemsinthefuture.

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Whatdoesthecommunityaspiretousewaterfor?

TheRAPphaseclearlyidentifiedthefollowingaspirations.Aswedidnotexplicitly
askparticipantstoranktheseinorderofimportance,andparticipantsrepresenta
smallcrosssectionofthecommunity,thefollowingshouldnotbeconsidereda
comprehensiverepresentationofcommunityaspirations.Thatsaid,fromthe
conversationsheld,wewereabletoroughlygaugetherelativeimportanceofthe
followingaspirationsbyhowmanypeople,andwithhowmuchenthusiasm,they
communicatedtous.Thisisreflectedinthecommentsbelow:

SwimmingpoolCommunitymembersreiteratedoverandoveragaintheir
strongdesireforaswimmingpoolinAliCurung,forthesocial,recreational
andhealthbenefits.Anotherpopularoptionwasawaterplayparklikethe
oneinKatherine,whichisthoughttobesaferandmorewaterefficientthan
apool.Residentsarguedchildrenwouldntwastewaterinplayiftheyhada
properpool/waterparktovisit.TheShireServicesManagersaidtheShire
apparentlyhasfundingtobuildawaterpark,butnotforitsongoing
operationalcosts.ThisisapopularandsignificantaspirationinAliCurung.

GreenparksandgardensAlessambitiousbutstillimportantaspiration,
(moreforfemaleparticipants,butalsomentionedbysomemale
participants),wasforAliCurungtomaintainandenhancetheirexistingpublic
parksandlawnswithmoreshadetrees,andaccordingtosomewomen
Elders,flower,bushtuckerandmedicinegardens.Importantly,asignificant
concernidentifiedbythecommunitywasafearthattheymaylosesomeof
thisgreenamenityifwaterconservationisstrictlypursuedinAliCurung.We
werequicktorespondtotheseconcernsandreassureparticipantsthata
waterconservationprojectwouldnottakeawayamenity,butwouldrather
aimtomaintainandevenenhanceit,butwithimprovedwaterefficiency.

LawnonfootyovalAnotherimportantaspirationfortheAliCurung
communityistorestorethegrassontheirfootballoval.Theovalwas
apparentlypreviouslywateredwithpopupsprinklersfromadedicated
headertank.Sincethetankcamedowninastorm,theovalhasgonetodirt,
impactingheavilyoncommunitysportandrecreation.

CommunityfarmAliCurungformerlyhadaworkingfarm,whichisstillheld
inhighregard.Olderresidentscanclearlyrememberthedripperirrigation
systemthatwasusedtowatercropsaswellasthewindmillthatwasusedto

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pumpwaterforthepigfarm.Centrefarmsrecentproposaltoreestablish
thefarminconjunctionwithahorticulturaltrainingcentrehasgoodsupport
amongstthecommunitymemberswespokewith.

Whataretheconsequencesofwastingwater?

Participantsidentifiedfewifanyshortorlongtermseriousconsequencesofwasting
waterinAliCurung.Whenaskeddirectlyabouttheconsequencesofwastingwater,
participantsinthewomensworkshopmadecommentslike:

Kidscomehomefromschoolandwanttoswiminpuddlescreatedby
waterwaste.Thismightcausethemtobecomesick.

Mosquitosmightbreedaroundthegrassyareasthathavegrownfrom
leakshoweveritwasthenagreedthatmosquitosarentactuallya
probleminAliCurung.

Ifasprinklerhasbeenleftonallnightitmightcausethetaptojamso
thatitcan'tbeturnedoff.InthiscasesomeonewouldneedtotellCDEP
stafftofixit.

Noneofthesecommentsreallydemonstratesignificantimplicationsforthe
communityoritswatersupplyfromwastingwater.Theonlycommentthathinted
atthesustainabilityofthewatersupplywas:

Peoplemightgetdehydratedifthewaterrunsout.

Howeverthisstatementislikelyreferringtowatersupplybeingtemporarily
unavailable(asitoftenisduringmaintenance)ratherthanrunningoutaltogether.
Thereasonforalackofconcernaboutthelongtermsustainabilityofthewater
supplyislikelyduetothewidelyknownandappreciatedfactamongcommunity
membersthattheregionhasanabundantandregularlyreplenishedgroundwater
supply.

Maleparticipantswerenotdirectlyaskedquestionsregardingtheconsequencesof
wastingwaterduetoalackoftime,andthedifficultyofrunningthisactivity
successfullyintheWomensRAP.Semistructuredinterviewsandgeneral

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conversationwehadwithresidentsandShirestaffdidhowevertouchonthese
issues.Theiranswershaveinformedthefollowingfindings.

ThecoststhatPowerandWaterfacesinsupplyingandtreatingwaterin
AliCurungareunknowntoandessentiallyunrecognisedbythe
communityinAliCurung.AsthepublichasnoaccesstoPowerand
Watersinternalcostings,thislackofknowledgeistotally
understandable.

HousesinAliCurung,likethoseinotherremotecommunities,donot
havewatermeters,andsoresidentsdonotpayforthewaterthey
consume.Thereisthereforenofinancialconsequenceforwastingwater
orincentiveforsavingwaterdomesticallyasthereisforelectricity,which
ismeteredandpaidforusingpowercards.Evenifwaterwaspaidfor,
waterintheNTisinexpensive($1.14/kLforgovernmentcustomersat
July2010). 1

UndertheStrategicIndigenousHousingInfrastructureProgram(SIHIP)
newhouseswillhavewatermetersinstalled.Uponhearingthisnews,
residentsexpressedsomeconcernthattheywouldnowhavetopayfor
water.AcommentmadebothatthelocalBoardmeetingandatthe
womensworkshopwasIfitisourwaterfromunderourcountry,whydo
wehavetopayforit?Againthisillustratesalackofunderstandingofthe
costsincurredinsupplyingtheservice.

AccordingtoPowerandWaterhowever,residentswillnotbecharged
directlyforwater,butHousingNTwhoisresponsibleforthehousesmay
becharged.

Shirepropertiesincludingpublicparksandgardensaremeteredand
thereforetheShiredoesfacefinancialconsequencesforwastingwateras
wellasanincentivetoconservewater.Shires(andgovernment
departments)arechargedtheNTuniformtariffof$1.14plusservicefee
perkilolitre,(theservicefeeisbasedonafixeddailychargewhichis
dependentonthesizeoftheconnection,anaverageconnectiononthe
communitywouldattractadailychargebetween$0.45and$1.80).
Howeveruntilrecently,thereachofthemeteringwaslimitedandonlya
smallamountcouldbecharged.Expansionofmeteringin2009toall

1
PowerandWater(2010),HowmuchDoesitCostforPower,Water&Sewerage?AccessedOctober2010
online:www.powerwater.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/1582/20092010_tariff_July2009.pdf
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governmentandbusinesswateruserscombinedinAliCurungwas
completed.BarklyShirewillincreasinglyfeelthefinancialcostofwater
wastageandthiswillindirectlyimpactonthecommunitylongterm
throughareductioninoperationalexpensesandthereforefunds
availableforotheruses.

Schoolwateruseisalsometeredandpaidfor,andthereforetheschool
alsofacesfinancialconsequencesforwastingwater.Howeveritisunclear
whethersavingsmadeinwatercostscanbemadeavailableforusein
otherexpenditure.

Examplesofinefficientwaterusesuchassprinklersleftrunning,areeasily
observedinAliCurung.

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TheconsequencesforwastingwaterinAliCurungareprobablygreatest
forPowerandWater.In200809,combinedoperationalandcapitalcosts
forwaterproductioninAliCurungwere$529,896.About14percentor
$74,185ofthesecostswasrecoveredinbilling.Recoveryrateshave
improvedinrecenthistoryandwillcontinuetodosoasPowerandWater
improvemeteringinfrastructureinthecommunity.Nonethelessthere
areclearlysignificantcostsavingstobemadeforPowerandWaterfrom
improvedwaterconservationinAliCurung.Ifwaterconsumptioncould
bereducedbyaconservative20percent,savingsofnearly$105,979a
yearcouldbemade. 2

In2011AliCurungwillseeaninfrastructureupgradeasAdvanceWater
Treatmenttechnologyinstalled.ThiswillseeasignificantperKL
productioncostincrease.Thenewproductionrateisestimatedtobe
$4.0/KL.Basedonthispotentialincreaseinproductioncosts,ifwater
consumptioncouldbereducedbyaconservative20percent,savingsof
nearly$205,785ayearcouldbemade.

Insummary,theabundanceofsupplyandlackofdirectfinancialconsequencesfor
residentswastingwaterprovidelittleincentiveforwaterconservationinAliCurung.
Therefore,forawaterconservationprogramtobesuccessful,otherincentivesfor
savingwaterneedtobeidentified.

Pleasenotethatthe2009/2010productioncostswerenotavailableatthetimeofwritingthis
reportandassuchproductioncostsarebasedon2008/2009data.

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Theme 2: Perceptions on decision-making and responsibility for water in

the community

Whocurrentlymakesdecisionsand/ortakesresponsibilityforwater(atthe
residentialandwholecommunityscale)?Whoshouldberesponsibleforwater(atthe
residentialandwholecommunityscale)?

ItwasdifficultintheRAPworkshopsforfacilitatorstomakethedistinctionclearto
participantsbetweenwhoisresponsibleandwhoshouldberesponsiblewhen
engagingwithparticipantstoanswertheaboveresearchquestion.

Anumberofdifferentwaterwastingscenarioswerepresentedtoworkshop
participants.Inmostofthese,householderswereidentifiedasbeingresponsiblefor
waterontheresidentialscale,althoughthelocalcontractplumberwasidentifiedas
thepersonwhowouldactuallyfixthings.Whenaskedaboutdifferencesof
responsibilitybetweenwomenandmen,womenintheirworkshopsaiditwas
equallytheresponsibilityofwomenandmentosavewaterinsidethehouse.The
menhoweversuggesteditwasmoreamensresponsibilitytofixplumbingleaks
thanwomensalthoughsomewomenmaystilltry.Participants,especiallywomen,
acknowledgedalackofexpertisewithrepairingdomesticplumbingfaults.

Onacommunityscale,therewasabeliefthateverybodyshouldberesponsiblefor
conservingwaterbutinrealityitseemsthatthatnobodyreallyisresponsible.
AndrewtheESOwasidentifiedasbeingresponsibleforpreventingwaterwastage
onacommunityscale.TheCDEPparksandgardenscrewwereidentifiedasbeing
responsibleforsprinklersleftoninparks.ThehighlevelofwateruseinAliCurung
(1,172litresperperson,perdayin2009/10)indicatesthattheseresponsibilitiesare
notbeingadequatelyattended.

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Theme 3: Perceptions about work (paid and voluntary)

Whatarethesocialandeconomicbenefitsofwork(paidandvoluntary)?

Someofthesocialandeconomicbenefitsofworkincluded:

Keepingbusyandactive

Gettingoutofthehouse

Makingmoneytopaybills

Stayingfitandphysical

Socialising

Contributingtothecommunity

Keepingthemindoccupied

Keepsyoungfellasbusyotherwisetheywillbeoffatthepub

Whatarethebarrierstowork?

Workshopparticipantsnotonlyidentifiedthebarrierstoworkbutalsostrategiesto
overcomethem.Theseincluded:

CulturalissuesTheoftencitedexamplewastimeoffforsorrybusiness
interferingwithworkrequirements.Abuseofsorrybusinessasanexcuse
totaketimeoffwasalsomentioned.Aneffectivestrategytomeetthis
challengewasidentifiedasinvolvementoffamilytoensuregoodand
honestcommunicationbetweenemployeeandemployertoascertain
authenticculturalneeds.

SocialissuesJealousycameuprepeatedlyasasocialissuethatcan
interferewithsuccessfulemployment.Participantssaidtheirpartners
werejealousofthemgoingtoworkastheymighthaveanopportunityto
meetotherpartners.Thestrategyidentifiedtoovercomethiswasgood
communicationbetweenpartnerstodeveloptrust.

DrinkingAswithmanycommunities,excessivedrinkingofalcoholcan
beanissueinAliCurung,withworkshopparticipantsidentifyingitasa
barriertosuccessfulemployment.AvoidingschedulingworkonFridays
(paydayisThursday)isonestrategy.Anothermightbeteamingtherole
withanElderinapositiverolemodel/mentoringrole.

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Whatarethemotivatorstowork?

FormaleCEDPworkers,higherratesofpaywerebothamotivatortowork
andasharedaspiration.

Foryoungerwomen,themainmotivatorwasalsoearningmoney.

Forolderwomenthemotivatorforworkwasmoreaboutmakinga
contributiontothecommunity.

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Theme 4: Perceptions of community strengths, organisation & capacity

Whatarethecommunitysstrengthsandassets(individual,communityandnatural/
physicalresources?)

TheRAPprocessidentifiedthefollowingcommunityresources:

AbundantgroundwaterAliCurungisblessedwithanabundant
groundwaterresourcefromtheDavenportBasin.Howeverthesizeofthis
resourceandtheeaseofsupplyofferedbymoderninfrastructurehas
createdanobviousdegreeofcomplacencyinregardtoitsconservation.

StrongCDEPAliCurungappearstohaveawellfunctioningCDEPprogram
withstrongandeffectiveleadershipfromShirestaff.CDEPstaffarriveat
workearly,dressedinappropriateclothingandfootwear,completed
timesheets,andweregenerallywellorganised.TheCDEPmanager
commentedthathavingAboriginalmanagerswasanotherimportantelement
oftheprogramssuccess.

OnsiteplumberUnlikemanyremotecommunities,AliCurunghasa
plumberemployedbytheShire,wholivesonsite,andisabletorespondto
plumbingneeds.

CentrefarmprojectInthe1970sAliCurunghadahighlysuccessfulfarm
thatnotonlysuppliedproducetoresidentsofAliCurungbuttoTennant
Creeksupermarketsaswell.Centrefarmnowhasfundingtoestablisha
horticulturaltrainingcentreaswellasreestablishthecommunityfarm.

RespectedEldersAliCurunghasastrongpoolofrespectedElderswhohave
apositiveinfluenceonthecommunity.

SupportiveShireServicesManagerAliCurungsnewSSMisverysupportive
andunderstandingoftheneedtoimprovewaterconservationinAliCurung.
Hehasbeenproactiveinrepairingmajorleaksandissupportiveofapilot
waterconservationproject.

WillingnesstoworkCommunitymemberswespoketoshowedareal
willingnessandinterestinwork,especiallyinjobsthathaveawider
communitybenefitandinrolesthatoffergoodpay.

LiteracyMostworkshopparticipants,bothyoungandold,demonstrateda
goodlevelofEnglishliteracy.

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Whichgroupsorindividualswouldbemostlikelytoparticipateinawater
conservationprogram?

MaleandfemaleRAPparticipantswereaskedtoanalysethesuitabilityofgroupsor
individualstobeinvolvedinawaterconservationprogram.Theresultswere
recordedslightlydifferently,butonthewholemenandwomensharedsimilarviews.
(SeeTables3and4)

Table3.Analysisofgroupsforinvolvementinawaterconservationprogram(Mens
RAP)
Thegroupshighlightedinbluewereidentifiedbymenasmostsuitablefor
involvementinthewaterconservationproject.

Group

Wouldthey

Isitlikewhat Couldthey

Dotheyhave

wanttobe

theyalready

doit?(Skills

timetodoit?

involved?

do?

&resources)

Shireemployees

Electrician

CDEPworkers

99

?9

99

Heathworkers

PowerandWater

99

99

99

99

EssentialServicesperator

99

99

?9

Plumber

99

99

99

Men

?9

99

Women

?9

Seniorschoolstudents

Police

Corporation

Legend
9 =yes
99=strongyes
8 =no
?

=uncertain

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Table4.Analysisofgroupsforinvolvementinawaterconservationprogram
(WomensRAP)
Thegroupshighlightedinbluewereidentifiedbywomenasthemostsuitedtobeing
involvedinawaterconservationproject.

Group

Shire
employees
CDEP
workers

Health
workers
Housing
officer
(Shire)

Wouldthey Isitlikewhatthey
wanttobe alreadydo?
involved?
3
No

Couldtheydoit?
(Skills&resources)

Dotheyhavetime
todoit?

Staff

Busyalready.

Alreadydoparks,do
alltheworkanyway,
equipment(sprinklers
etc).

Toobusyandtied
upwithother
things.Needto
findalinktomake
ithappen.

No

2
3

3
Power and
Water
Corporation

Partly;theymanage
parks(sprinklers
etc),sotheydo
someworklikethis
atcertaintimesof
theday.
No
Currentfocusinside
housesandnoton
theoutside.Valda
commentedthat
theyneedtostart
focusingonthe
outsidelike
landscapingand
gardening.
Yes,theytalkabout
watersaving,
activitiesetc.

Essential
Services
Operator

Yes,heisaservice
provider.

Plumber

Yes

Older
women

No

Notsure.Hemightbe Hestoobusy
abletogetstaffto
managingstaff.
helpwiththework.
Maybehisstaff
coulddoit(Shire
workers).

Usage,management.
Theyneedtogetout
therealotandtalkto
thecommunity.
Hesgotskills.Hes
beenkeepingthings
movingandhes
alreadyprovidinga
servicetothe
community.
Fixingpipes,taps,
leaks.
Culturalknowledge,
theyareabletoteach
andtellkidstolook
afterwater
(authority).

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Sometimeto
support,nottime
todoallthework.
Hefixessmalljobs
quicklylikewhen
tapsbreakdown.

Busy?Thewomen
werentsure.
Theolderwomen
havesometime(in
betweenother
jobs)todosome
teaching.

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Group

Wouldthey Isitlikewhatthey
wanttobe alreadydo?
involved?
3
No

Young
women
Oldermen

No

Youngmen

No

Senior
school
students

No

www.livelearn.org

Couldtheydoit?
(Skills&resources)

Dotheyhavetime
todoit?

Theyneedtolearn
fromolderwomen.
Knowledgeabout
waterdreaming,
Jukurrpa.Jeffery
Smallusedtobea
plumber.
Strengthfor
shovelling,usetheir
muscles!
Therecouldbea
Schoolcommunity
projectaboutthe
garden.

Sometime
Theyllhavetimeif
youorganise
them.

Same(needto
organisethem).
Makeitpartof
theirlearning.

MenandwomeninAliCurungthereforesharetheviewthatCDEPworkers,Power
andWaterCorporation,theEssentialServicesOperatorandthePlumberarethe
groupsmostlikelyandmostsuitedtobeinvolvedinwaterconservation.

ThewomensRAPalsoidentifiedthatbotholdermenandwomenhaveimportant
traditionalCulturalknowledgeaboutwaterandthattheymightbeabletolendthat
knowledgeandtheirauthoritytothewaterconservationmessage,helpingtoteach
theyoungerpeopletolookafterwater.

Lessons learned from the RAP workshop process

ThequalityofparticipationinRAPworkshopswasrelativelyhigh.Bothmen
andwomenseemedtoenjoytheactivitiesandbecamefullyengagedafter
onlyashortperiod.MostactivitiesdidnotrequireahighdegreeofEnglish
writingskills,howevermostparticipantsseemedtobeabletowritewell.

Gettingparticipantsalongtotheworkshopwasalwayschallenging.Itis
importanttogainsupportfromlocalpeopletoassisttogetparticipants
along.Otherincentivesshouldalsobeexamined,suchasprovidingaBBQ.
Effortshouldalsobemadeinensuringtherearenoclashesbetweenthe
workshopandothercommunityevents/activitiesthatcouldimpacton
attendance.

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ConcentrationlevelsinthewomensRAPworkshopwerepoorafterlunch,
whichmeantitwaschallengingtogetqualityparticipationinsomeactivities.
Themensworkshopwasrestructuredinresponsetothelessonslearned
fromthewomensworkshop.Additionalactivitiesincludedinthewomens
workshoptofacilitategroupinteractionandenergiseparticipantswere
omittedormodifiedforthemensworkshop,leavingthecoreactivitiesthat
couldbecoveredintwomornings.

ParticipantsgenerallyenjoyedtheRAPandtheopportunitytoexpresstheirideas
andopinions.Funandengagingactivitieshelpedtoensurethatparticipants
returnedfordaytwo.

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Discussion of shared, community-wide incentives

Recommendationfour(above)identifiesinnovative,sharedcommunitywide
incentivesforsavingwaterasasuggestedoptiontomotivatebehaviourchange.
Potentialoptionsforincentiveswereexploredinmoredetail.

Oneoptionforasharedincentive,identifiedrepeatedlybyresidentsandBarklystaff
intheRAPasanimportantneedoraspiration,wasacommunitypooland/orwater
park.Investingapercentageofwaterproductioncostsavingsintotheoperational
costsofapool/waterparkcouldbeapowerfulmotivatorforwaterconservationin
AliCurung.ThisconceptwasstronglysupportedbyRAPworkshopparticipantswho
feltthatitwouldbeagoodmotivator.

AccordingtotheAliCurungGovernmentBusinessManager,theremaybe
opportunitieswiththeFederalGovernmenttobuildthecommunityawaterparkon
theconditionthattheBarklyShiretakesresponsibilityfortheestimated$7to
$12,000annualrunningcosts. 3 Indeedannualrunningcostsforawaterparkare
estimatedtobesubstantiallylessthanannualrunningcostsforapool,inpart
becausetheydonotrequirelifeguardstaff.Ourbackgroundresearchonpoolsin
remoteAboriginalcommunitiesinCentralAustraliafoundthattotalrunningcosts
rangefromanestimated$100,000to$250,000peryear. 4 Electricity,chlorine
chemicalandwatercosts,werearelativelysmallcomponentoftheoverallcost,
rangingfrom$40to$80,000peryear.Thebulkofpoolrunningcostsareinstaff
wagesasapublicpoolrequiresaqualifiedPoolOperatortomanagepoolhygieneas
wellastrainedlifeguardsondutywhenthepoolisopen.

Awaterparkisexpectedtobesignificantlycheapertorunforthesimplereasonthat
withnostandingwater,aqualifiedpooloperatorandlifeguardsarenotnecessary,
removingexpensivelabourcosts.Theamountofwaterthatrequirestreatmentis
likelytoalsobemuchsmaller,thereforereducingwater,electricityandchlorine
costs.Onedisadvantageofawaterpark,identifiedbyKatherineTownCouncilwho
installedoneattheirpool,isthatmaintenanceintheircasewasdifficultand
maintenancecostsranhighduetovariousreasonsthat,inhindsight,mayormay
nothavebeenavoidable.

3
GBMAliCurung(2010).Pers.comm.
4
MacDonnellSSM,SantaTeresaSSM,YuendemuPoolManager,KatherinePool&WaterParkManager(2010).
Pers.comm.
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Onepossibleincentiveforcommunityactioninwaterconservationcouldbelinked
totheinstallationofawaterparkasanincentivetosavewater.PowerandWater
couldofferfundstoBarklyShireinordertocontributetotheannualrunningcostsof
awaterpark,thefundsputtowardthewaterparkannuallywouldbebasedona
performancebasedincentiveforsavingwater.Suchanofferrequiresfurther
considerationfromPowerandWaterastothedesign,andhowsuccessinwater
conservationwouldbemeasured.Alsoifthecommunitywerenotsuccessfulin
savingwaterthenifandhowthewaterparkwouldbeturnedoff,andhowpublic
perceptionmaytreatthis?

AnalternativeincentivetoapoolalsoidentifiedintheRAPasanaspiration,maybe
forPowerandWatertosupportthecommunitytorestoregrasstothecommunity
footballoval.Againtheissuehereisalackofinfrastructure.Thewaterheadertanks
thatsuppliedwatertotheovalsprinklersinthepasthavecollapsed,andthecostof
resurrectingthemmaybehigh,andagaindependantonBarklyShire.Another
disadvantageisthatagrassedoval,evenonewateredbywaterefficientsubsurface
irrigation,installedbytrainedcommunityWaterRangers,islikelytobeasignificant
consumerofwaterandsomewhatcounterproductivetoattemptstoreduceoverall
waterconsumption.

Exactlywhichincentivetouseandhowbesttouseit,remainunclearatthisstage.
Indeedanincentivemaynotevenbenecessarytofacilitatechangedwateruse.
Thereforeincentivesshouldbeconsideredlaterinapilotimplementationphase,
aftertheimpactofotheractivitiescanbedetermined.

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Part B Recommendations

Recommendations for a Water Conservation Program

DrawingonthekeyfindingsoftheRAPphase,wemakethefollowing
recommendationsforaWaterConservationProgramatAliCurung:

1. Investinwaterconservation
PowerandWatershouldtakeadvantageofthesignificantfinancialopportunity
thatcurrentlyexiststoinvestinwaterconservationinAliCurung.Savingsinthe
orderof$106,000to206,000 5 peryeararepossible.

Whilerecoveryrateswillriseastherecentimprovementsinmeteringarefeltby
billowners,itiswidelyacceptedthatthefullcostofwatersupplycouldneverbe
fullyrecovered.Rather,thisreportarguesthatopportunitiesforcostsavings
throughwaterconservationaresubstantialandprovidethebestopportunityfor
improvingproductioncostrecovery.

AspreviouslymentionedPowerandWaterplanstoupgradewatertreatmentat
AliCurung,withAdvanceWaterTreatmenttechnology,potentiallydoublingthe
costofdrinkingwaterproductionto$4kL.Asthisprojectisstillindesign,itisstill
unclearwhatthecapitalcostswillbeandwhatimpactthiswillhaveonoverall
supplycosts.TheratechargedforwateratAliCurungcannotrisebeyondthe
regulated,Territorywideuniformtariff.Therefore,increasingwaterproduction
costsprovideanevengreaterrationalefortheintroductionofaneffectivewater
conservationprogram.

2. Significantwatersavingsarepossible
A10percentor20percentreductionindailyconsumptionisarealistic
objectiveforawaterconservationprograminAliCurung.AliCurungresidents
usedanaverageof1,172litresperpersonperdayin2009/10.Thisissignificantly
higherthantheaveragedailyconsumptionforremoteNorthernTerritory
Aboriginalcommunities.WhileAliCurungisknownasbeinggreenerthanmost
communitieswithitsparksandlawns,andtherehavebeensomesignificant

5
preandposttheinstallationofadvancewatertreatmenttechnology
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leaksfixedthroughanincreaseinregularinspections,therearenootherobvious
factorstoexplainsuchahighlevelofconsumption.

EvenifAliCurungcutitswateruseinhalf,itwouldstillbeusing20percent
morethantheaverageremotecommunity.Ourobservationsofwaterlostin
leaks,overwatering,tapsleftonandwaterplayetcsuggestthat10or20per
centsavingscouldeasilybemadeon2009consumptionlevels.A1020per
centreductionisconservativecomparedtorecommendationsmadebyHoyal
andMarshall(2006)intheirreportsonWaterAuditingandConservationinSanta
TheresaandGunbalanya 6 .

3. Reinvestsavingsfromwaterconservationtoprovideongoingfundingtothe
program.
Werecommendthatthehighestpriorityfortheuseofsavingsfromreduced
supplycostsistoreinvestaportioninprovidingongoingfundingtothewater
conservationprogram.Whiletheongoingrunningcostsofthisprogramareyet
tobeascertained,asixmonthpilotwouldassisttoprovideagoodindicatorof
cost.Anadditionalamount,ifitisavailable,shouldbesetasidetofunda
potentialcommunityincentivetomotivatethecontinuedsavingofwater.This
conceptisdiscussedfurtherinrecommendation4below.Remainingfundscould
beretainedbyPowerandWaterhelpingtoimprovetheirbottomline.With
substantialcostsavingspotentiallyavailable,thetotalamounttobereinvested
inthecommunitytofundtheprogramandapossibleincentiveshouldbecapped
atanappropriatepoint.

Reducingwaterconsumptionby10or20percentinthefirstyearwillbe
relativelystraightforward,butmakinganadditional10or20percentsavingon
topofthepreviousyearssavingwillbecomeincreasinglydifficult.Instead,to
justifysavingsoveranumberofyears,aprojectedfuturewatersupplycost
shouldbesetbasedonabusinessasusualscenario,sothatfinancialsavings
fromreducedwaterconsumptionthreeyearsintoasuccessfulprogramarenot
measuredagainstthepreviousconservativeyearscosts,butagainstaprojected
costhadnoprogrambeenintroduced.

Sarah Hoyal and Glenn Marshall, Centre for Sustainable Arid Towns (2006) Water audits of
residential premises in Gunbalanya community, report undertaken for Indigenous Essential Services,
Department of Planning and Infrastructure

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4. Reinvestsavingsfromwaterconservationtofundinnovativeincentives
Werecommendthatinnovativesharedcommunitywideincentivesforsaving
waterwouldbeaworthwhileoptiontomotivatebehaviourchange.Residents
currentlyperceivethatthecommunityhasanabundantsupplyofgroundwater,
andthereisalackoffinancialconsequencesforresidentswhowastewater.
HoweverrewardingindividualsinAliCurungforwaterconservationwouldbe
verydifficultforanumberofreasons.Housesarenotindividuallymetered
thereforeitwouldbeverydifficulttomeasureandrewardindividualor
householdwaterconservationeffortswithoutexpensiveindividualauditing.
Moreover,fromourinitialobservations,waterwastageappearstooccuras
muchifnotmoreincommunityspaceslikeparksandstreets,thaninsidehouses
andresidentialgardens,althoughthisrequiresfurtherinvestigationatthe
implementationstage.Waterconservationisthusashared,communitywide
issueasmuchasitisanissueforindividualhouseholds.

Anotherconsiderationisthatasharedcommunityincentivemaybemore
culturallyappropriateinanAboriginalcommunitysettingthananindividual
reward,althoughthishasnotbeenvalidated.Finally,asthecommunitywater
conservationprogramhasbeendesignedasapilot,thereisanopportunityto
testinnovativemethods.Asharedincentiveforcommunitybenefitwouldbea
greattooltouseinothercommunitiesifitprovedsuccessfulinAliCurung.
Pleaserefertothediscussionofshared,communitywideincentives(pp.28)for
furtherinformation.

5. BarklyShireshouldalsoreinvestsavingsintheprogram
ThereisastrongcaseforsuggestingthatsavingsmadebyBarklyShireinreduced
waterbillsshouldbereturnedtothelocalcommunitytohelpfundthecosts
associatedwiththeprogram.However,BarklyShireislikelytobestilldiscerning
futurewatercostsasrecentmeteringimprovementswillchangetheamount
paidforwater.Barklyisalsolikelytoincursomeadditionalcostiftheywereto
beinvolvedinthedeliveryofawaterconservationprogram.Thesecostswillbe
bestascertainedinapilot.Ideally,Barklyshouldconsiderthesecostsasinkind
supportforaprogramthatultimatelybenefitsthecommunityandtheShires
bottomline.

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6. Astable,locallybasedinstitutionororganisationwillberequiredtomanage
ongrounddeliveryofawaterconservationprogram.

PowerandWatercurrentlydoesnothavethelocalcommunitypresence
requiredtomanagedaytodaydeliveryofaWaterRangerstylewater
conservationprograminAliCurung.Thisisbecausethisstyleprogramwill
requirelocalsupervision,mentoring,andperiodsoftargetedtraining.Therefore
itwillbenecessarytocontractorpartnerwithanotherorganisationwithlocal
presenceandcapacitytodelivertheprogram.Thiswillalsoassisttocreatelocal
ownershipandmakeuseoflocalknowledge,assetsandresources.

InthecontextofAliCurung,BarklyShireCDEPhassuggestedthattheyhavethe
potentialtopartnerwithPowerandWatertodeliverapilotprogram.As
identifiedintheRAP,theCommunityDevelopmentEmploymentProgramisa
suitablegrouptomobiliseactionforapilotprogram.Youngmenwho
participatedintheMensRAPshowedaparticularinterest,howeveranumberof
themhavegoneontofindworkoutsidethecommunity.Recruitmentofstaffto
theprogramasWaterRangersmaythereforehavetocomefromoutsidethe
groupwhoparticipatedintheRAPprocess.Nonetheless,CDEPmanagementand
theShirehaveillustratedawillingnesstoprovideagood,preexisting
organisationalplatformtolaunchandsupportthewaterconservationproject,
although,likemanyremoteorganisations,theydosufferfromhighstaff
turnovers.CDEPcouldofferinkindadministrativeservices,provideoperational
resourcesliketoolsandpotentiallyuseofavehicle,aswellascontribute
managementandsupervision.Theycouldalsopotentiallysupporttheproject
financiallythroughvariousfundingprogramsavailable.

ItisfurtherrecommendedthatPowerandWaterexplorethepotentialtodeliver
apilotviaasixmonth'workexperience'positionutilisingfundingfromthe
DepartmentofEducation,EmploymentandWorkplaceRelationsWork
ExperienceSubsidy.PowerandWatercouldthencontractBarklytodeliverthe
programontheirbehalfasameanstocreatethenecessaryfinancial
arrangements.JulalikariRemoteEmploymentServices(JRES)couldpotentially
accessadditionalfundingforWaterRangertraining,uniforms,etc.Giventhe
interestshownbyBarklyShireandJRES,werecommendthree6month'Water
Ranger'WorkExperiencerolesarecreatedtotakepartinapilotprogram.

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7. ProvideWaterRangerswithrelevanttraining
Thereareanumberofpossibletrainingprovidersandalsofundingfortrainingavailable.
TrainingforWaterRangersinskillsandknowledgeintheinstallationofwaterefficient
irrigationskillscouldcomeeitherfromthenewCentrefarmtrainingcentreorwiththe
horticulturaldepartmentofCharlesDarwinUniversitywhohavepreviouslybeeninvolved
inawaterefficientschoolgardenprojectinAliCurung.Traininginpracticalplumbingskills
(e.g.fixingleaks,repairingtaps,installingandmaintainingwaterefficientshowerheads
couldpotentiallybegainedthroughacombinationofaworkingalongsidetheAliCurung
plumberandthroughdedicatedbasicplumbingtraining.Arangeofappropriate
organisations,e.g.DesertSMARTCOOLmobwhoundertakewaterauditingactivitiesin
AliceSprings,couldpotentiallysourcetrainingindomesticwaterauditingskills.

8. WaterRangersshouldhaveauniformwithadedicatedbadgeorlogo
WerecommendtheWaterRangerpositionincludeauniformtoaddressperceivedbarrier
togoingtoworkofshameatnothavingcleanorappropriateclothes,andtheperceived
incentiveofprideofhavingameaningfulrole.Asindicatedabove,JREScanaccess
fundingtoprovidetheseresources.Wewouldalsoliketoaddprestigeandidentitytothe
rolebydevelopingaWaterRangerlogotofeatureonuniforms,materials,signs,etc.To
ensurelocalownership,thislogocouldbedevelopedbyartistsfromtheartcentre
drawingonlocalwaterstoryiconography,ifculturallyappropriate.

9. Effectivemonitoringwithaccuratedataisessential
Thisstudyhasmostlyreliedonobservationalandconsultativeassessmentsofwhere
waterisbeingwasted.Apilotprogramshouldmorethoroughlyutilisequantitativedatato
accuratelymeasuredemandfromabulkandindividualusersperspective.

Theprogramwillneedtodevelopeffectivecommunicationmechanismstorelaywater
consumptionfiguresbacktothecommunityasfeedbackonwatersavingsuccess.This
couldbeintheformofanadjustablescaledsignupdatedeachweek,easilyunderstood
diagramsonthecommunitynoticeboard,monthlyreportsbacktoLocalBoardmeetings,
andannouncementsatcommunitywaterawarenessevents.Withaclearunderstanding
ofexactlyhowmuchwatertheyareconsuming,thecostsinvolved,andthebenefitsfrom
apotentialincentive,remotecommunitieslikeAliCurungwillhaveagreater
understandingoftheneedmeanstoconservewater.Quantitativedatameasuringthe
quarterlyorannualaveragesforwaterproductioncouldthenbelinkedtopayments

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towardsthecommunityincentive.Realisticandachievabletargetsforwaterconservation
shouldbeset.
MeetingtargetsshouldbecelebratedandtheworkoftheWaterRangersrecognised.If
targetsarentreached,aprocessisrequiredforWaterRangerstotryandindentifywhere
additionalwaterwasused,whetherornotitwasnecessaryorwasted,andifsowasted,
whatcouldbedonetopreventsimilarwastageinthefuture.

10. TheCommunityEngagementOfficerSouthshouldbethePowerandWaterliaison
ThePowerandWaterCommunityEngagementOfficerSouthcouldhaveakeyroleinthe
implementationofthisprogram.Theirrolecouldincludemonitoringsuccessofprogram,
receivingreportsfromtheWaterRangersandtheBarklyShire,ensuringtargetsarebeing
met,supportingeducationalandcommunityengagementactivities,reportingonthe
programtoPowerandWater,etc.

11. Eldersshouldsupport,mentorandlendlegitimacytoawaterconservationproject
Workshopparticipantssaidthelikelihoodofachievingsuccessthroughtheprogram
wouldbeincreasediftheprogramwerelinkedtotraditionalculture.Eldersconsulted
confirmedthattheycouldhelpfacilitatethisconnection.Wethereforerecommendthat,
ifculturallyappropriate,anelementoftheWaterRangerstrainingshouldbeasuitable
culturalorientationwithEldersontraditionalwaterstoriesandbusiness.Program
managersshouldalsoseektodevelopamentoringprogrambetweenkeyEldersand
WaterRangersthatwouldincluderegularmeetingstodiscussprogramprogress,
challenges,opportunitiesandculturalissues.

12. Familiescanhelpwithculturalandsocialissues
Workshopparticipantssuggestedthatpotentialculturalandsocialbarrierstosuccessful
employmentcouldbebetterdealtwithiffamilymemberswereinvolvedinsupportingthe
employmentofindividualswhotakeonWaterRangerroles.Byidentifyingparents,
relativesorappropriateEldersasgotofiguresattheinitialemploymentstage,itwillbe
possibletoclarifyauthenticityofculturalneedsliketimeoffforsorrybusiness,for
example.

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13. Referencecaseorbusinessasusualwateruseshouldbemeasuredfromadatepriorto
thecommencementofthisconsultancy
OurresearchandpresenceinAliCurungsincethefirstvisitinOctober2009appearsto
havealreadyledtoincreasedawarenessandactionrelatedtowaterconservation.The
annualbulkwaterconsumptionfellfrom252,973kLin2008/09to213,658kLin2009/10.
Earlywatersavingscanlikelybeattributedinparttotheincreasedfocusonwater
conservationbroughtaboutthroughtheprocessofconsultinganddesigningthisprogram.
However,PowerandWaterhavebeenmoreactiveinfixingleakssinceNovember2009,
andclimatemayalsohaveanimpactonconsumption.Notwithstandingdifficultiesin
attributingsavingstoimpactsfromthisprogramtodate,webelievethereissufficient
meritinestablishingabusinessasusual(referencecase)forwaterconsumptionbasedon
historicwaterusepriortothisprogramdesignintervention.

14. Pilotorpretestacommunitywaterconservationthatcouldpotentiallybescaledup
orreplicated
Opportunitiesforscalinguporreplicatingawaterconservationprogramshouldbe
consideredwhendevelopingtheCommunityWaterRangersPilotProgram.Ifapilot
programprovestobeeffectiveinmeetingitsobjectives,therewouldbeastrongcasefor
mainstreamingtheapproachintoothercommunities.However,everycommunityis
different,thereforeaflexibleapproachshouldbetakenthatallowslocalAboriginal
peopleandstakeholderstohaveinputintothedesigntofosterlocalrelevanceand
ownership.

WerecommendthatpartoftheroleforthePowerandWaterCommunityEngagement
OfficerSouthincludeoverseeingimplementationofapilotwaterconservationprogramin
AliCurung.Theprogrammodelshouldbestrengthenedbasedonlearningsfromapilot
activity.Ifthepilotprogramiseffectiveandefficientinachievingitsaims,theCommunity
EngagementOfficerSouthcouldberesponsibleformanagingtherolloutofa
mainstreamedprograminmultiplelocations.

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Part C Water Conservation Program

Adetailedwaterconservationprogram,entitledCommunityWaterRangersisprovidedasa
separatebutcompaniondocumenttothisreport.Theprogramisdescribedintheformatofa
manualentitledtheCommunityWaterRangersPilotProjectGuide,whichcanalsobeused
asaresourceindependenttothisreport.

Themanualiswritteningenericterms(i.e.itdoesnotfocusonAliCurung),andhencecould
potentiallybeusedtoguideimplementationofapilotprograminothercommunities.

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Conclusion

ThisconsultancyhasdemonstratedthatdeliveryofapilotwaterconservationprograminAli
Curungishighlylikelytoprovidepositiveeconomic,socialandresourcemanagement
outcomesforPowerandWater,theAliCurungCommunityandotherstakeholdergroups.In
summary:

Thereareobviouswaterandfinancialsavingstobemadefromawaterconservation
programatAliCurung

Asignificantsubsidyisavailabletofundsomewagesandthetrainingrequiredforasix
ortwelvemonthpilot

Asuitablelocalpartnerorganisation(BarklyShire)isinterestedinadministeringand
coordinatingapilotprograminthecommunity

LocalAboriginalpeoplehavedemonstratedinterestinbeinginvolvedintheprogram
(e.g.applyingforpositionsasCommunityWaterRangers)

TheResearchofAspirationsandPerceptions(RAP)studywasusedtodevelop
recommendationsregardingthedesignofawaterconservationprogram,whichwould
respondtocommunityperceptions,needs,strengthsandcapacity.AdetailedCommunity
WaterRangerPilotProgramManualwasdesignedtoguideprogrammanagersin
implementationofapilotprogram.

WhatisnowrequiredisagreementfromPowerandWater,BarklyandJRESorotherlocal
partnerstoenterarrangementsfordeliveryaswellasendorsementfrommembersoftheAli
Curungcommunity.Havingachievedthesethings,apilotprogramcouldenterthe
implementationstage.

Apilotprogramshouldbemonitoredandevaluatedforeffectivenessandefficiencyagainst
itsstatedeconomic,socialandresourcemanagementgoals.Programmanagersshouldlearn
frompilotactivitiesandusethelessonslearnedtostrengthentheprogram.Ifsuccessful,the
programshouldbeconsideredforreplicationwithinPowerandWatersongoingworkin
NorthernTerritoryAboriginalcommunities.

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