Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut
LOCATION
Lower Moorabool River and lower Barwon River corridors from Meredith to Barwon Heads
TRADTIONAL OWNERS
Wadawurrung Country
OUTPUTS
- 12 partnerships (agency)
- 3 publications
- 4 Management Agreements (binding
non-perpetual)
INVESTMENT (4 YEARS)
$1.65 million
PARTNERS
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action, Barwon Water, City of Greater Geelong, Golden Plains Shire Council, Parks Victoria, G21 Geelong Region Alliance, Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine, Barwon Coast Committee of Management, and the Department of Jobs Skills Industry and Regions.
Corangamite CMA has led a partnership of Victorian State government agencies, two local governments and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners to deliver a ten-year masterplan to further connect the community to the Lower Moorabool and Lower Barwon Rivers while protecting and enhancing the environmental and cultural values of the corridor. Kitjarra- dja-bul Bullarto
langi-ut is the Wadawurrung name for the project; it translates to “places of many stories”.
The Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut project covers the lower Moorabool River and lower Barwon River corridors stretching from near Meredith in the north, through the urban area of Geelong, down to the Barwon Heads estuary in the south. The natural assets of the project area and their ongoing enjoyment are increasingly under threat from rapid population growth, tourism pressures and climate change. Furthermore, fragmented management across five separate public land managers complicates and delays efforts to improve access, connectivity, and amenity.
The final masterplan was publicly released by the Hon. Christine Couzens MP at a ceremony on the banks of the Moorabool River on 14 February 2024; the result of a three-year $1.65 million program funded by DEECA as an action of the Rivers of the Barwon (Barre Warre Yulluk) Action Plan. The key initiative of the program was the development of the Kitjarra dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut masterplan developed in consultation with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, community groups, river user groups, land managers and the general community.
The masterplan includes a 10-year program of environmental, and infrastructure works including re-vegetation, weed control, water flow and quality improvements, shared cycle and walking trails, boating facilities, and a new proposed public open space.
Other activities delivered to support the masterplan include;
- A review of the governance and funding model for the project
- Development of a business case for investment in masterplan implementation
- $533.5k investment in design and approvals of three high priority masterplan projects
- Development of funding bids
Corangamite CMA is working with project partners to progress masterplan implementation with eight of the nine high priority projects now commenced. Project funding of $533,500 was invested in progressing three high priority projects to a shovel ready state. $1.4 million in Victorian Government investment was secured for re-vegetation projects along the corridor through the Green Links Program with an application submitted for a further $1.7 million in Australian Government funding for fishway installation. This is in addition to approximately $16.7 million investment from project partners in high priority masterplan projects.
The review of the governance and funding model provides a blueprint for a financially sustainable initiative and efficient delivery of a complex series of masterplan projects. Recommended changes to the governance and funding model from the review were tested with the Strategic Advisory Committee and Working Group and will continue to be explored.
Lower Barwon Wetlands
