Water, Country and Community Program (2020-2024)

This 3 year project will allow Bargeni Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BGLC) to prepare a water strategy for long-term planning and management. This will be developed through activities such as:

• community meetings
• feasibility studies
• archaeological reports
• support from catchment management authorities.

A more structured approach will allow for greater strategic mapping and planning of water-related priorities for spiritual, customary, social, economic and other self-determined purposes.

BGLC has identified opportunities to further their work on the Glenelg River in particular, where collaboration has occurred in the past with other Traditional Owner organisations and catchment management authorities on the issue of cultural flows.

This 3 year project will adopt a coordinated approach to identify, assess and understand cultural assets within the Powlett River.

Delivering the project over several years will allow for critical information to be observed and captured across seasonal and annual time scales.

Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC) intends to work with catchment management authorities in the identification and protection of culturally significant sites, which will complement and contribute to the direct management of the river.

This will allow BLCAC to provide advice on cultural values, for example when there is a need to artificially open the estuary.

This 3 year project will develop a Djandak wide Gatjin (water) management plan that reflects Dja Dja Wurrung's values for Gatjin. It aims to be a culturally and technically informed document which will enable equitable discussion and negotiation over water shares and allocations.

Currently, there is a high level of understanding of the biological values along waterways that are the life blood of Djandak. However, documented understanding of cultural values, including the care of Murrup (spirits) of these biological values and their connection to other parts of Djandak is lacking, contributing to inequitable participation in water policy.

The management plan will be developed through Aboriginal Waterway Assessments and other technical support.

This one year project will deliver a detailed native fish hatchery design to be located on Ned’s Corner Station, using key information from the First People of the Millewa-Mallee Aboriginal Corporation’s (FPMMAC) fish hatchery business plan, that was supported through an earlier funding initiative of the Aboriginal Water Program.

An Indigenous Aquatic Operations Manager will also be employed, in readiness for operation of the facility.

FPMMAC has started discussions with the Victorian Fisheries Authority to set up a memorandum of understanding about supplying native fish to Victoria through the project, as part of an election commitment to buy and stock 8 million native fish.

This 3 year project will utilise existing water aspirations for the Glenelg River and Budj Bim, including opportunities for cultural flows and water entitlements.

Other priority activities identified include:

• a Glenelg River Seasonal Calendar Monitoring plan
• Glenelg River Rangers feasibility study and business case for training
• an archaeological report on the history of Glenelg River Catchment
• as well as water testing, fish surveys and waterway maintenance.

Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is working in partnership with other Traditional Owner organisations and the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority.

A Project Advisory Committee will be formed to share information, thoughts and ideas on how best to manage this waterway in a culturally appropriate and sustainable way for all the species that rely on the river, and for the community who access it.

This 3 year project will deliver outcomes relating to water, land and the environment through gatherings, events and workshops.

The goals are to revive traditional water knowledge and cultural activities, observe and monitor Country, evaluate and manage the health of waterways, and provide opportunities for greater participation in water management and planning for Traditional Owners.

Several outcomes focus on Margooya Lagoon, which has significant cultural and spiritual impact to Tati Tati people.

The revitalisation of Margooya Lagoon will enhance the opportunities for Tati Tati's access to water for self-determined purposes, and to preserve the Lagoon’s health for future generations.

"We need to be responsible for water on Tati Tati Country, using our knowledge and priorities. Only then will we see healthy outcomes for mob, water, and the environment."