The Victorian Government is returning water from the Birrarung (Yarra River) to Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Traditional Owners, delivering important cultural values and ongoing connections to land and water.
Victorian Minister for Water, Harriet Shing, announced on Monday the transfer of a 1,405 megalitre water licence from the former Amcor paper mill to the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation (WWCHAC) for cultural use.
The Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation said the return of the Birrarung water licence is a significant step toward achieving water justice, but there is still much work to do.
They expressed the Birrarung is vital to their cultural identity and responsibilities, emphasising their obligation to keep the river alive and healthy for future generations, as it is an integral part of their connection to the land.
"The Birrarung water licence is an important step in our fight for water justice, but there is still a long way to go," (WWCHAC) said.
"It's a welcome step in the journey towards a future where Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung cultural rights and responsibilities are respected and embedded in the way we work together.
"We, the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung, the First People, and the Birrarung, belong to this Country. This Country and the Birrarung are part of us."
Minister Shing said the transfer of the 1,405 megalitre water licence to the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Traditional Owners will support their ability to manage water for various purposes.
"This transfer of 1,405 megalitres in the Birrarung will support Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Traditional Owners to access and manage water for spiritual, cultural, environmental, social and economic purposes," Ms Shing said.
The government supports Traditional Owners in determining the use of returned water in line with the Water is Life: Traditional Owner Access to Water Roadmap, with the water return a step towards water justice for Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Traditional Owners.
It is also consistent with the Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo (the Yarra Strategic Plan) and the Central and Gippsland Sustainable Water Strategy.
The water licence was previously held by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action was managed by Melbourne Water.
Since 2021, Victoria has returned 6,605 megalitres of water to Traditional Owners across the state, supporting their cultural responsibility to care for Country.
This has included three licences issued to the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation: 200 megalitres at Buchan Munji, 500 megalitres in the Tambo River, and 2,000 megalitres in the Mitchell River in Gippsland.
In southwest Victoria, a 2,500 megalitre licence was issued in the Palawarra (Fitzroy River) system to Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in 2022.
