‘Kimberley people speaking with one voice’ | Water Working Group concludes first phase with artwork presentation

Gooniyandi man Claude Carter with his art work ‘Holy Water’

Water, in its many forms, is central to life, law and custom for Kimberley Traditional Owners.

The WA Government intends to develop a Fitzroy-Derby water allocation plan to allow large volumes of groundwater to be used for economic development projects in the Kimberley. This could lead to significant changes for our region. It is crucial that Traditional Owners’ views are central to water planning in the Kimberley.

Based on guidance from Traditional Owners, the KLC pushed for the government to engage closely with Traditional Owners about the draft Fitzroy-Derby water allocation plan. This year, after successfully securing some funding from government, the KLC facilitated an engagement process between Kimberley Traditional Owners and the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) about the draft Fitzroy-Derby water allocation plan. Read more about the engagement process.

In October, Gooniyandi artist and Traditional Owner Water Working Group member Claude Carter presented an artwork called ‘Holy Water’ representing the significance of water in the Kimberley to Water, Climate Resilience and Indigenous Affairs Minister Don Punch, marking the conclusion of the first phase of the Fitzroy-Derby Water Planning Engagement process.

Claude Carter presenting his artwork ‘Holy Water’ to Minister Don Punch alongside Traditional Owner Working group members.

The presentation took place in Broome during a meeting between Kimberley Land Council (KLC) leadership, the Minister and members of the Traditional Owner Water Working Group, following the group’s presentation of its initial recommendations.

Claude explained that his painting represents the unity and strength he felt within the Working Group throughout the process.

“I had tears in my eyes the next morning,” he said. “I woke up at 5am and watched the clouds rolling across the ocean to Broome. It felt as though everyone was there - all the tribes - from the saltwater to the river, the limestone, the red hills, and back to the desert. I felt their presence in the clouds. It felt united, like Kimberley people were speaking with one voice.”

He said the painting draws on deep cultural and spiritual connections to water.

“What I paint doesn’t come from me alone; it comes from Country. My great-great-grandmother would say that holy water always comes back to people through the land and animals, bringing life. That’s how powerful water is — the old water, over 60,000 years old.”

Traditional Owner Working Group members meet in Broome.

The Traditional Owner Working Group, facilitated by the Kimberley Land Council (KLC), was formed as part of the engagement process with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) on the draft Fitzroy-Derby Water Plan.

Over the past six months, the Working Group - made up of regionally representative Kimberley Traditional Owners - has met with DWER in Derby, Kununurra and Broome to share knowledge, discuss the draft plan and strengthen Traditional Owner influence in water decision-making.

The process aims to ensure that Traditional Owner values, knowledge and priorities underpin the Fitzroy-Derby water plan and broader water governance in the Kimberley.

KLC CEO Tyronne Garstone facilitating discussions at the September forum.

KLC CEO Tyronne Garstone said that meaningful engagement with Traditional Owners is fundamental to the success of water planning in the region.

“Traditional Owner consultation is central to effective water planning in the Kimberley,” said Mr Garstone. “It ensures government decisions respect cultural knowledge, Country, and law, and that water is managed in a way that benefits both people and Country for generations to come.”

He said the process also provides an opportunity to strengthen sustainable development across the region.

“By including Traditional Owner voices, we can ensure the sustainable development of resources in the region, supporting not just our communities and culture, but also industry and the broader Kimberley community.”

Traditional Owners at the forum held in Broome, September 2025.

In September 2025, a large forum brought together all Kimberley Prescribed Body Corporates (PBCs) to review and endorse a collective position. The Working Group will now finalise its report to government, ensuring the voices and priorities of Kimberley Traditional Owners are reflected in the draft plan.

As the engagement process continues, the KLC remains committed to supporting Kimberley Traditional Owners to speak with one voice on water which will ensure that cultural values, law and connection to Country remain at the heart of water planning and sustainable development across the region. 

Geike Gorge, The Fitzroy River. Bunuba Country.