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Victorian Water allocation for Traditional Owners
19 January 2021
In November 2020 the Victorian Government made water ownership available to Traditional Owners from the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC).
The Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) will receive two gigalitres of unallocated water in the Mitchell River.
The allocation allows traditional owners to determine how and where water is used for cultural, environmental or economic purposes. This is a new initiative and a significant step recognising Traditional Owners’ deep connection to water.
The Government has invested $5 million to develop a roadmap to support Aboriginal use and access to water and continues to work with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians to identify opportunities for Aboriginal enterprises to establish and develop water related businesses.
This announcement comes 10 years since the Gunaikurnai people gained native title over much of Gippsland and entered into the first Traditional Owner Settlement Agreement issued by the Government.
Read more in the Victorian Government Media Release
