Melbourne Water has formed its first ever partnership with a local Indigenous group. 

Melbourne Water signed the Partnership Agreement with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) - recognising GLaWAC as its sovereign partner in land and water management and improved cultural understanding.  

Melbourne Water Managing Director Nerina Di Lorenzo says the group is excited about this important journey with GLaWAC Elders and staff, recognising the cultural and spiritual connections Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with the land and water they have cared for and protected for thousands of generations.  

“This formal agreement will drive positive transformation in the water sector,” Dr Di Lorenzo said. 

“It highlights our respect for Traditional Owners and cements Melbourne Water’s commitment to work together now and into the future.   

“It also paves the way to develop unique partnership agreements with Traditional Owners including Bunurong, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, tailored to their cultural, economic and land and water management goals. We will walk Country together.”    

Activity is underway as part of the agreement, with the first implementation session occurring in November. 

GLAWAC CEO Daniel Miller says the agreement is the first of its kind in Victoria, and he is looking forward to working closely with Melbourne Water to achieve the goals of the partnership agreement. 

“GLaWAC is committed to water justice for the Gunaikurnai, and creating opportunities for the community right across our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) area as we continue to care for and heal Country.” 

In addition, Melbourne Water has recently launched its third Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan. 

The latest iteration sets out the steps Melbourne Water will take to drive reconciliation and inclusion in the business and create social, economic and cultural change. 

“Reconciliation comes from truth telling and real change comes from listening to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners,” Dr Di Lorenzo added.