We are returning water to Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners in Gippsland – strengthening their connection to Country through better cultural water management.
Minister for Water Harriet Shing announced that Southern Rural Water has issued Gunaikurnai Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) two licences for cultural water use – one of 200 megalitres at Buchan Munji, as well as 500 megalitres of water for the Tambo River.
At Buchan Munji, GLaWAC intends to hold the water in an aquifer for cultural purposes and to restore and maintain the health of Country.
These water licences support Gunaikurnai connections to Country and support GLaWAC to own and manage water for spiritual, cultural, environmental, and social economic purposes.
We are working with Traditional Owners to improve their access to water and their involvement in water management, benefiting Traditional Owners and all Victorians through the release of Water is Life: Traditional Owner Access to Water Roadmap.
This builds on a 2,000 megalitre water licence from the Mitchell River in Gippsland to GLaWAC in 2021 and another 2,500 megalitres of unallocated winter fill water from the Palawarra (Fitzroy River) system to Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in southwest Victoria for cultural purposes.
The Government acknowledges and respects that Traditional Owners have a deep and ongoing cultural, spiritual and economic connection to land, water and resources.
Page last updated: 12/10/23