Building Enduring Partnerships and Traditional Owner Collaboration
LOCATION
Melbourne Water operational area
TRADITIONAL OWNERS
- Wadawurrung
- Bunurong
- Wurundjeri
- Gunaikurnai
- Taungurung
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Strengthened relationships with
Traditional Owners - Increased understanding and respect internally at Melbourne Water
- Increased opportunities for the
First Peoples community through
procurement initiatives aimed at
First Peoples business growth,
employment, and retention policies - Effective governance to carry out RAP objectives
INVESTMENT
Melbourne Water funded, year one of three for delivery
PARTNERS
- Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
- Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
- Taungurung Land and Waters Council
- Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation
- Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
In May 2025, Melbourne Water marked a significant milestone with the launch of its inaugural Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (2025–2028), celebrated on Wadawurrung Country at the Western Treatment Plant.
Co-hosted with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, the event reinforced Melbourne Water’s long-term commitment to reconciliation, accountability, and practical actions that drive cultural, social, and economic change.
The document co-designed in partnership with Traditional Owner organisations, including Bunurong, Gunaikurnai, Taungurung, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri, reflects on Melbourne Water’s reconciliation journey to date and sets clear actions for the years ahead. It focuses on supporting self determined outcomes, embedding cultural understanding, and strengthening enduring partnerships to care for land and water.
During 2024–2025, Melbourne Water progressed several key partnership initiatives:
- Formalising the Wadawurrung Partnership: Building on strong collaboration, Melbourne Water continued delivering the Wunggurwill Ngitj (‘Strong together’) agreement with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. This work advances the Paleert Tjaara Dja Wadawurrung Country Plan, supporting knowledge sharing, cultural education, and capacity building.
- Deepening collaboration with Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC): Actions included joint planning on waterway management and cultural heritage protection, alongside engagement on water justice discussions.
- Expanding engagement with other Registered Aboriginal Parties: Strengthening relationships with Bunurong, Taungurung, and Wurundjeri organisations through cultural advice, joint projects, and early steps towards future formal agreements.
These achievements demonstrate Melbourne Water’s commitment to walking together with Traditional Owners, recognising their deep connection to Country, valuing cultural knowledge, and creating shared pathways to care for Victoria’s waterways, lands, and skies.
