Picture: Lake Fyans

Traditional Owners and GWMWater

GWMWater acknowledges and pays respect to past and present Traditional Custodians and Elders connected to the GWMWater service area and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We acknowledge:

  • the valuable connection of Indigenous cultures to the heritage of all Australians;
  • the historic occupation of the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee regions by Aboriginal peoples;
  • the importance of protecting sites of high significance to traditional owners being Indigenous places, objects, ancestral remains and intangible heritage;
  • the historical, artistic, scientific and social or spiritual value that places, objects and collections have for past, present and future generations;
  • the cultural heritage significance of Aboriginal traditions related to land and water.

GWMWater is proud of our relationships with Traditional Owners and we are working hard to be more inclusive and provide more opportunities for involvement in the water industry. We are building on past activities to prepare an Aboriginal Inclusion Plan to document our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. 

Areas of focus

GWMWater develops Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) for capital projects to ensure that cultural heritage is protected and contingencies are formally adopted. GWMWater will continue to strongly engage with traditional owners, particularly Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs), during CHMP development.

GWMWater acknowledges the long-term custodianship of land and water by traditional owners in our service area. GWMWater will engage traditional owners in discussions relating to water management, particularly the management of land with cultural values and the development of major new infrastructure projects.

GWMWater’s social purchasing policy outlines the positive outcomes that can be achieved by considering multiple aspects of procurement. GWMWater is committed to sourcing goods and services from Aboriginal businesses particularly for activities in the vicinity of Aboriginal Places.

GWMWater directly employs about 180 people in a broad range of roles. GWMWater encouages all Aboriginal persons to consider traineeships and ongoing roles in all aspects of GWMWater’s business.

GWMWater works closely with Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) in the development of Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) for many of our capital projects. Where there is no appointed RAP, we work with First Peoples State Relations to protect our heritage during works. Cultural heritage is also considered in relation to our routine and operational activities. In fact, GWMWater and Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation were presented with a Premier's Sustainability award in 2019 for work on CHMPs for the South West Loddon Pipeline.

GWMWater is a public land manager with a large estate spread across our service area. We assess crown land against a variety of criteria including our obligations under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 and Native Title Act 1993. GWMWater has embraced its duty under Land Use Activity Agreements to provide recognition and community benefit to native title holders.

There are several RAPs representing the interest of Traditional Owners associated with the GWMWater Service Area:

A number of standalone Traditional Owner groups are engaged in our service area:

  • Wadi Wadi Wemba Wamba Barapa Barapa First Nations Aboriginal Corporation
  • Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN)
  • Dadi Dadi Weki Weki Aboriginal Corporation
  • Latji Latji Mumthelang Aboriginal Corporation
  • Wadi Wadi Traditional Owner group
  • Wadi Wadi Land & Water Indigenous Corporation

GWMWater is an equal opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to consider a career at GWMWater. Those seeking information or advice about roles in the water industry can call us on 1300 659 961.