Melbourne Water and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners are partnering to care for Country. 

Melbourne Water and the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation have announced the signing of a partnership Agreement Wunggurwill Ngitj – which means “Strong together”.

The agreement sets out the framework under which Melbourne Water and Wadawurrung will work together to support and implement the Paleert Tjaara Dja Wadawurrung Country Plan across the yulluks (waterways), Dja (Country) and skies of Wadawurrung Country.

The water authority says the ‘spirit of partnership’ agrees to recognise, respect, appreciate and support Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Wadawurrung Culture and Wadawurrung’s role in making decisions for and looking after Wadawurrung Dja (Country). 

They have pledged to work together to build capacity, develop skills, share knowledge and technology, educate, strengthen, and share culture and provide a strong economic foundation through rights to Wadawurrung Country for Wadawurrung people.

“The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Melbourne Water Partnership Agreement is a framework of action for better outcomes. It is a key step in fostering a deeper understanding, respect and appreciation for Wadawurrung Culture entwined in our operations,” says Melbourne Water managing director Dr Nerina Di Lorenzo. 

The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) is the Registered Aboriginal Party for Wadawurrung country. 

With the statutory authority for the management of Aboriginal heritage values and culture, under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act, 2006.

The Partnership has four themes of collaboration; Cultural Services, Policy and Strategy, Cultural Heritage, and Caring for Country. These themes should provide a pathway to deliver on agreed priorities in a productive and respectful way.

Under the Partnership, a steering committee has been established that will help bring together resilient and meaningful and respect-driven relationships with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and land managers for Melbourne Water.

“This Partnership ensures Wadawurrung Culture and knowledge continues to shape the way that land and waterways are cared for,” Dr Di Lorenzo said. 

“I look forward to the practical implementation of the Partnership and welcome ongoing engagement with our Wadawurrung Traditional Owner peoples as we work and learn together.”

“We are sharing our culture and stories for these places, our connection with them to bring greater understanding of how they have and are to be cared for. It is also an opportunity for us to gain knew skills and build our own economic base through caring for Dja, to see benefits back to our Wadawurrung community for current and future generations,” said Sarah Eccles - Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation Co-Chair.