A framework developed through the Australian Water Association's Chris Davis Fellowship is helping water professionals bring Aboriginal and Western science together to strengthen climate adaptation planning and support better outcomes for Country and communities.
At Ozwater'26, 2025 Chris Davis AM Fellowship recipient Lesliey Golds joined Dr Phil Duncan and Bill Moulden to share the development of the Gunimaa and Gali Waratah Tool – a practical framework designed to support more holistic, collaborative project planning with Traditional Owners at its centre.
Through an interactive workshop, delegates were invited to test the framework against real-world scenarios, demonstrating how Traditional Owner perspectives can be embedded throughout planning and decision-making, rather than considered as a standalone element.
For Golds, the framework grew from a desire to rethink how Traditional Knowledge is incorporated into infrastructure and environmental projects.
"The Waratah Tool has five petals, or principles. It was adapted from Beca's Circular Design Framework, which is a holistic circular design tool," Golds said.
"It originally had one of the principles as Aboriginal perspectives, but we decided that we would like to take a more holistic view and embed Aboriginal perspectives into the other five principles."
Rather than adding Traditional Knowledge as another item on a checklist, Golds said the framework seeks to weave cultural and Western knowledge systems together from the outset.
"It's really important to note that it needs to be done with Traditional Owners in the room," Golds said. This emphasis on participation is central to the framework. Rather than consulting Traditional Owners after key decisions have been made, the Waratah Tool encourages collaboration from the outset.
At the conference, participants worked through an example, reflecting on their own experiences of working with Traditional Owners.
However, Golds noted: “It really needs to follow ethical principles and protect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP). This means that Traditional Owners need to be active participants, either directly in the room or through self-determined communication and education processes, for it to truly achieve beneficial outcomes”.
"It brings together two knowledge systems – Western and cultural science – weaving them together to enhance outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” she said.
"It's a community-centred approach. So caring for Country, listening to Country and those who know it best, as well. That's where the collaboration piece with Traditional Owners comes in."
The framework was also intentionally designed to be adaptable across Australia.
"It's universal. Phil and I have tried to make it as universal as we can, so you can pick it up and use it anywhere with Traditional Owners on their own Country. It needs to be applied at the invitation of Traditional Owners and should be tailored to the project context or location context, so keep that in mind as well," she said.
For Dr Phil Duncan, the framework represents more than a planning resource; the Waratah Tool reflects the way it was created.
Addressing workshop participants, Duncan described the collaboration behind the project as an example of reconciliation in practice.
"What you're seeing here is reconciliation being played out inside our company," he said.
"We don't just talk about empowering people, our strongest allies and champions. We give leadership to them. That's the way that I think we work best together.
"So this is what you see every day inside Beca HunterH2O, the way we walk and talk together, share the load and share the journey."
Those partnerships, Golds explained, were fundamental to developing the framework itself, acknowledging Duncan and colleague Tania Hyde for the significant role they played in shaping the Waratah Tool.
Following the introductory discussions, delegates worked through practical project scenarios using one of the framework's five principles – resilience and adaptation – applying the questions to greenfield, brownfield and strategic planning examples.
The workshop concluded with groups sharing their reflections, identifying benefits for both organisations and Traditional Owner groups, including stronger collaboration, long-term thinking and opportunities for shared economic and environmental outcomes.
While the workshop explored just one element of the Waratah Tool, it demonstrated how the framework is intended to work in practice: creating space for Indigenous science and Western science to inform one another, with Traditional Owners participating as partners throughout the planning process rather than being consulted after decisions have already been made.
For Golds, the next step is facilitating an On Country Classroom with Duncan. This Classroom will focus on the Waratah Tool in more depth, with Duncan and Golds facilitating several workshops with participants.
Located on Gomeroi Country, participants will also visit culturally significant sites, participate in reflection sessions, and foster a greater understanding of Aboriginal culture, values, history and beliefs. As part of the Fellowship funding will support the participation of two AWA representatives, enabling them to expand their knowledge of the Waratah Tool and deepen their understanding of Aboriginal perspectives. This opportunity will help build organisational capability and strengthen integration of cultural knowledge in the industry.
The On Country Classroom represents the next stage of the Fellowship project, providing participants with an opportunity to experience the principles of the Waratah Tool in practice and deepen their understanding of Aboriginal knowledge systems through guided learning on Gomeroi Country.
If you would like to participate in the On Country Classroom, please reach out to Lesliey Golds (lesliey.golds@beca.com), Phil Duncan (Phil.Duncan@canberra.edu.au) or Carly Soutter (carly.soutter@beca.com). Places are limited, and participants will be confirmed based on availability.
Interested in learning more about the Chris Davis Fellowship? Find out more here.