The Wanyarram Dhelk project, meaning “good waterhole” in the local Aboriginal language, is a collaborative project between Traditional Owners from the Dja Dja Wurrung community and North Central Catchment Management Authority.
The Bendigo Creek Streamside Reserve, although highly modified, is a valuable linear reserve providing significant habitat, recreational and aesthetic value to a rapidly developing community. Bendigo Creek also serves as an important biodiversity link, with many of its tributaries connected to the Wellsford State Forest and Greater Bendigo National Park.
The project seeks to implement aspirational goals outlined in the Dhelkunya Dja Country Plan by establishing a mentoring and work experience program with key government partners for high school aged Dja Dja Wurrung and other Aboriginal students.
Key Messages
- Collaborating with multiple stakeholders provides an opportunity to rejuvenate community connection to waterways and emphasise the strong connection between the creek and local indigenous communities.
- Creek restoration will improve public amenity and enhance the ecological value of the waterway.
- Improving waterway health is important economically and culturally and provides community health and wellbeing outcomes. For example, the cooling benefits of the creek will provide resilience to future climate change.
- With the assistance of the Dja Dja Wurrung community the Bendigo Creek restoration project provides opportunities for ongoing jobs and training that provide ecological outcomes for the creek.
This project aims to improve the health of Bendigo Creek and its tributaries, and improve community connection to the waterway. It is also capacity-building, giving Traditional Owners the opportunity to work back on Country.
Weed control, restoring riparian vegetation and establishing frog ponds have been undertaken by Dja Dja Wurrung Enterprises and North Central Catchment Management Authority to improve the health of Bendigo Creek and its tributaries.
The project has increased the cultural values of the project sites by reintroducing culturally significant food and fibre plants back into Country
The project is working in collaboration with its partners to implement and promote cultural practices, such as including burning into the pre and post management of the project sites
The implementation of frog ponds will trap sediment before it enters the Bendigo creek ensuring the longer term health of the waterways, Dja Dja Wurrung people and Country.
A workshop with Traditional Owners was held for Dja Dja Wurrung people to view restoration works and to identify their prioritiesfor the creek.
The project includes a pathways program with Eaglehawk Secondary College and the Bendigo Senior Secondary College,which aims to support Aboriginal students seeking higher education opportunities and employment in their chosen field.
To achieve successful results, it is important to engage early with all relevant stakeholders and maintain regular communication
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