Identifying traditional and contemporary cultural heritage values of the Lower Werribee corridor
The Cultural Values Assessment (CVA) will identify and capture the traditional and contemporary cultural heritage values of the Lower Werribee corridor by engaging directly with Wadawurrung and Bunurong Traditional Owners, and make recommendations for their interpretation and protection.
The CVA will focus on physical and environmental features, as well as historical and contemporary narratives and themes, which tell a story about the land and environment from the Wadawurrung and Bunurong perspective; narratives that can be recognised and incorporated into waterway and open space planning.
The preparation of a CVA is a ‘very high’ priority, foundational action in the Lower Werribee Waterway Amenity Action Plan (LWWAAP). It would also inform multiple other actions in the LWWAAP and enable them to progress in a way that protects and enhances the cultural values of the Lower Werribee.
Themes and Local Areas
| Primary Theme: | Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians |
| Other Themes: | Water Supply and Use, Waterways, Native Vegetation, Native Animals, Land Use, Estuaries, Communities |
| Primary Local Area: | Moorabool, Melton, Wyndham & Greater Geelong |
| Other Local Areas: | |
| Project location: | Lower Werribee River, from the confluence with Davis Creek to the river mouth |
| Scale of the project: | Local – multiple sites along the Lower Werribee River corridor |
| New or continuing work: | Continuing – building on previous work |
Project partners
| Lead organisation: | Melbourne Water |
| Key partners: | Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Wyndham City Council, DEECA, Parks Victoria, Werribee Open Range Zoo |
| Registered Aboriginal Party/s relevant to the project or its area: | Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation |
Investment opportunities
| Opportunities for investors within this project start from: | $$ (Tens of thousands of dollars) |
| Estimated scale of investment for full project implementation: | $$$ (Hundreds of thousands of dollars) |
| Estimated timeframe for full project implementation: | 2-10 years |
Contribution toward targets
| Primary Regional Catchment Strategy target: | Traditional Owners as the voice for waterways and Country – Traditional Owners are the strong and respected voice for Country, with fundamental roles and influence in planning, decision making and action across the region in land, biodiversity and water management. The value of traditional ecological knowledge held by the region’s Traditional Owners is embraced and influential in modern decisions and practices. |
| Relevant Biodiversity 2037 goal: | Engage Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians to include Aboriginal values and knowledge in the project |
| Relevant National Landcare Program priority: | – |
More information
Jo Bush, Senior Strategic Land & Waterway Planner, Melbourne Water – Jo.Bush@melbournewater.com.au
