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WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following page may contain images, quotes or views of deceased persons.

Traditional Owners and water

Waterways and their surrounding environment are culturally and spiritually significant to Traditional Owners. Country, including water, is strongly interconnected with language, sacred places and ceremonies.

Because of this, the plants and animals that live in and around waterways are significant to Aboriginal people. This connection is important to the physical health and mental wellbeing of Aboriginal people.

Various strategies and First Nations-led methodologies have been funded to sustainably manage Victoria’s waterways and catchments. These strategies also consider the values and uses of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These include:

  • Cultural mapping, which involves Traditional Owners identifying and documenting local cultural resources and sites of significance.
  • Seasonal Watering Plans, which guide decisions on the delivery of water to the environment through rivers and wetlands. This also considers cultural values and uses that are supported by a healthy waterway.
  • Aboriginal Waterway Assessments that assess the environmental and cultural health of watering places on Country led by Traditional Owners.
  • Cultural flows assessments, which enable Traditional Owners to document the spiritual, cultural, social, economic and environmental values and uses for a place. These also identify how much water is needed to protect and sustain those values and uses. Traditional Owners have rights to cultural flows and the right to be involved in decision-making about the management of water on Country.

Aboriginal Water Program

The Aboriginal Water Program is a partnership between the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA) and Traditional Owners to manage waterways and catchments across the state.

The program works to better involve Traditional Owners in decision making around water management. This reconnects communities to water for cultural, economic, customary, and spiritual purposes.

There are many completed, current and ongoing projects across Victoria. legislation includes requirements to consider Aboriginal uses and values of waterways (Traditional Ecological Knowledge) in managing these natural assets.

Case study

Dylan Lawson, Aboriginal Water Officer at the First People of the Millewa Mallee Aboriginal Corporation (FPMMAC) is a proud Latji Latji – Barkindji Man. He is helping bring water back to Musk Duck.

Watch the video

Dylan Lawson, Aboriginal Water Officer at the First People of the Millewa Mallee Aboriginal Corporation

Meet the expert

Elise Hull works in the Aboriginal Water Unit at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). She is an Adnyamathanha and Arabana woman and here she discusses her role in caring for Country and her journey to this important career in water and what it means to her as an Aboriginal Australian.

Source: DEECA

Photo essay

Further resources

Below you can find a variety of resources to further understand Traditional Owners and water in Victoria.

Aboriginal Water Program (DEECA) – reconnecting communities to water for cultural, economic, customary and spiritual purposes.

Recognising Aboriginal values (DEECA) – how can we address Aboriginal water values and uses.

Partnering with Traditional Owners (DEECA) – a restorative justice approach to managing water.

Surface water and groundwater for Traditional Owners – the Victorian Water Accounts show how much water is held by Traditional Owners and other Aboriginal organisations.

Water in the Latrobe Valley (DEECA) – the Gunaikurnai, Traditional Owners of the Latrobe Valley and beyond.

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage (First Peoples – State Relations) – learn how to recognise, respect and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Protecting Ghow Swamp (First Peoples – State Relations) – protecting a place of high significance.

Aboriginal places and objects (First Peoples – State Relations) – cultural heritage and history

Returning Water in the Birrarung to Traditional Owners (2024) (State of Victoria) – delivering important cultural values.

Information

Map of Indigenous Australia – The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.

Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations, advocating for the rights and interests of Traditional Owners:

National Cultural Flows Research Project – driven by Aboriginal people, for Aboriginal people.

TREATY FOR VICTORIA | First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria.

News

Discover more work that is being done by Traditional Owners for Victorian waterways.

Environmental Justice Australia

Cultural flows at Margooya Lagoon

Healthy Waterways Strategy

Bunurong Land Council partnerships

The eels of Dandenong Creek

Wadawurrung and Melbourne Water Partnership

Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Partnership Highlights

Finterest

Victorian Fisheries Authority and Traditional Owners Revive Wetlands for Silver and Golden Perch Recovery

Video

Victoria Nature Festival Cultural Ambassador. Tammy Gilson – meet one of our Cultural Ambassadors for the Victoria Nature Festival.

Wetlands and their significance to Wadawurrung – go on a journey of local Bellarine wetlands like Lake Connewarre.

Water and culture – Aboriginal Elders and Traditional Owners joined Mallee Catchment Management Authority at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park to see the environmental water delivery.

Voices of Country with Isaiah Firebrace – Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project.

A Flowing Future: Water releases back to Wadawurrung Dja (Country) – documenting Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation’s first self-determined trial water delivery.

Interactive tools

Glenelg River Yarns – click the interactive map to hear yarns and see videos about the Bochara-Bugara-Pawur (Glenelg River).

Page last updated: 15/09/25