Recognising and managing for Aboriginal values

We recognise and respect that Victorian Traditional Owners have cultural, spiritual, and economic connections to land, water, and resources through their cultural heritage and relationship with Country. Aboriginal people have the longest known living culture in the world. Aboriginal Australians have managed the land and water sustainably over thousands of generations.

The connection to land, water, and resources on Country is important to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people. In some cases, reconnecting Traditional Owners to water can revive culture and contribute to an improved sense of identity.

What we will do

• Recognise Aboriginal values and objectives of water;
• Include Aboriginal values and traditional ecological knowledge in water planning;
• Support Aboriginal access to water for economic development; and
• Build capacity to increase Aboriginal participation in water management.

We will work with Traditional Owners, water corporations, catchment management authorities, and the Victorian Environmental Water Holder to actively seek opportunities which deliver these goals.

By building capacity in the water sector, we will increase Aboriginal participation and inclusive practices in water management.

Barapa Barapa sharing stories about their Water for Country project at Reedy Lagoon – January 2018