Bunurong Land Council partnership 2024/25
Key successes for the year include delivering contracted works for threatened species protection, delivering cultural awareness sessions, engaging with Landcare groups and providing input toward funding models for self-determination.
Engaging with cost models and pricing
Bunurong have been leading the way with an innovative fund model approaching The Accord MDs during 2024-25 to seek joint support. This will allow Bunurong Land Council to be a fund manager for land and waters, allowing for self-determined funding and projects. Melbourne Water have met and discussed Price Submission 26 plans and what participation and engagement demands will be likely through the price period and what opportunities there may be for Bunurong.
Discussion has been ongoing and will continue into 2025-26 around the Traditional Owner Capacity and Resources Program.
Bunurong Strong Country team provide land management expertise
Bunurong Land Council’s, Strong Country Team have been contracted through Melbourne Water’s incentive grants to deliver significant vegetation tasks for threatened species protection at Devilbend reservoir. The team have also been active in land management across the Western Port cultural landscape, having grown their capability.
They are taking on more tasks each quarter and have signed management agreements for crown land parcels, with the Beaconsfield Reservoir site one of the main contracts. The team have also been involved in some major capital projects and have met with senior leaders on Country. The Cardinia Reservoir works is a project of great interest. Water Officers were also involved in regular discussions during 2024-25 around waterway planning and the Living Links collaboration.
Environmental Water
Bunurong continue to be leaders in the region in their interactions with Melbourne Water’s environmental water team. Every 6 weeks, the water officer meets with staff to discuss flows, seasonal watering plans and other significant projects. The Werribee River flow has been a major discussion lately, involving also Wurundjeri and Wadawurrung about trials for improved environmental watering. Bunurong have also participated in discussions regarding a potential fishway on the Werribee diversion weir.
Bunurong staff have also begun to explain their plans for the Bunurong Waterway Assessments, which will continue in 2025-26.
Restoring Westernport Project
Melbourne Water and Bunurong Land Council continued their partnership through the ‘Indigenous Ramsar Ranger’ program, focusing on protecting the culturally and ecologically important Western Port Ramsar wetland. Their work also involved restoring mangrove forests by planting thousands of seedlings at Queensferry with the Bass Coast Landcare Network. This effort is part of the Restoring Western Port Ramsar project.
