Greater Western Water respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters upon which we work and operate.
We pay our deepest respects to their Ancestors and Elders past and present.
We acknowledge the continued cultural, social and spiritual connections that First Nations peoples have with the lands and waters, and we recognise and value that the Traditional Owner groups have cared for and protected them for thousands of generations.
We will develop our partnership with Traditional Owner groups to ensure their contribution to the future of the water management landscape, and to maintain their cultural and spiritual connection.
We operate on the lands of the Kulin. This represents five nations:
Bunurong/Boon Wurrung
Djaara/Dja Dja Wurrung
Taungurung
Wadawurrung
Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung.
Reconciliation
Our vision for reconciliation is a society that celebrates and protects the ongoing cultural and spiritual connections of First Nations peoples to the surrounding lands and waters.
We aim to engage meaningfully and respectfully with Traditional Owners and value their knowledge and histories.
Our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was released in August 2023 and guides the organisation’s work in building strong foundations and thriving relationships with First Nations communities and Traditional Owners.
Read the reconciliation commitments included in our Innovate RAP.
Healing and caring for Country
Our 2030 Strategy states our vision for thriving people and Country and our focus on healing and caring for Country.
To achieve this vision, we are committed to creating trusted, meaningful and productive partnerships with Traditional Owners and First Nations communities.
Here are some ways we’re doing this:
Giving Traditional Owners a direct line of contact into GWW through our Senior First Nations Advisor, who also provides a broader perspective on how what we do relates to First Nations peoples.
Building our people’s knowledge through Acknowledgement of Country workshops and cultural safety training.
Increasing engagement with First Nations suppliers and businesses.
Collaborating with Traditional Owners on integrated water management to help maximise liveability, sustainability and resilience.
Working with First Nations peoples to develop policies for the future.
Seeking permission for our activities on traditional land through Welcome to Country ceremonies.
Developing our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) with First Nations communities in our region.
Working with cultural heritage advisors and Traditional Owner groups to recognise and preserve the cultural values of the sites we operate on.
