Culture and Country

Our shared commitment

The promotion of the rights and responsibilities under section 19(2) of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.

Victorian Aboriginal communities and peoples are culturally diverse, with rich and varied languages, traditions, and histories. Aboriginal Victorians hold distinct cultural rights, including the right to maintain their spiritual, material, and economic relationship with their traditional lands and waters and continue to strengthen and grow with the resurgence of language, lore, and cultural knowledge.

The richness and diversity of Aboriginal history and culture in Victoria, and the resilience and strength of past and present Aboriginal communities and peoples is something for all Victorians to acknowledge and celebrate.

Goal 18: Aboriginal land, water and cultural rights are realised

Overview

Measures under Goal 18 have improved

Increases in the amount of land under native title and settlement agreements, cultural burns conducted by Traditional Owner groups, and progress towards the start of formal Treaty negotiations all point towards greater Traditional Owner governance of Country.

Goal 18 directly aligns with the following Closing the Gap Outcome and Targets

Outcome 15: People maintain a distinctive cultural, spiritual, physical and economic relationship with their land and waters.

• Target 15a: By 2030, a 15 per cent increase in Australia’s land mass subject to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s legal rights or interests.
• Target 15b: By 2030, a 15 per cent increase in areas covered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s legal rights or interests in the sea.

Closing the Gap - How Victoria is tracking nationally

Outcome 15a: In 2023, 4,213,978 square kilometres of the land mass of Australia were subject to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s rights or interests. Nationally, based on progress from the baseline, the land mass target shows good improvement. In Victoria, there has been an increase from 14,934 square kilometres in 2020 to 16,068 square kilometres in 2023 based on data from the National Native Title Tribunal.

Outcome 15b: In 2023, 113,461 square kilometres of the sea country of Australia were subject to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s rights or interests. Nationally, based on progress from the baseline, the sea country target shows improvement but is not on track to be met. In Victoria, an increase from 265 square kilometres in 2020 to 293 square kilometres in 2023 based on data from the National Native Title Tribunal.

Measure 18.1.1 Area of Crown land with native title determinations and/or Recognition and Settlement Agreements

The overall amount of Crown land with native title determinations and/or Recognition and Settlement Agreements increased in 2022-2023.

As at June 2023, the Federal Court has recognised the native title rights of Victorian Traditional Owners over 16,051 km² of Crown land. Under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 (Vic) (TOS Act), the Victorian Government recognised Traditional Owner rights and interests over 35,830 km² of Crown land in 2022. The total area of land recognised in Victoria under the TOS Act is approximately 96,210 km².

In 2022, the Victorian Government signed a Recognition and Settlement Agreement under the TOS Act with the Barengi Gadjin Land Council, representing the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk People. The Agreement commits the State to return certain identified sites to Barengi Gadjin Land Council in freehold title, and certain identified parks and reserves in Aboriginal title for joint management with the State.

On 28th March 2023, and on 21 March 2024, the Federal Court recognised the Eastern Maar people’s native title rights over certain areas in the broader Eastern Maar claim area. This decision recognises and acknowledges the deep and ongoing connection of the Eastern Maar people to their Country.

Measure 18.1.2 Work of the State in advancing the Treaty process

In 2023, the Victorian Government continued to advance the Victorian Treaty process, including finalising the elements required under the Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act 2018, and establishing governance structures across the whole of the Victorian Government to support Treaty negotiations.

Throughout 2023, the Victorian Government continued to strengthen its relationship with the First Peoples' Assembly, the independent body representing First Peoples in Victoria’s Treaty process. In May 2023, the First Peoples’ Assembly undertook its second Statewide election, tripling its electoral role to elect a new representative chamber.

In December 2023, the Victorian Government appointed five inaugural members of the Treaty Authority. The Treaty Authority is a nation-leading institution, drawing on international best practice but adapted for Victoria to ensure Aboriginal lore, law and cultural authority are observed and upheld. With the Treaty elements in place, including the Treaty Authority, Self-Determination Fund, Treaty Negotiation Framework and a dispute resolution process, the State anticipates that formal Treaty negotiations will commence in 2024.

Measure 18.1.3 Number of Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) that have entered into an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Land Management Agreement

As of 31 December 2023, 4 RAPs have entered into an ACHLMA and 9 submitted an intention to enter an ACHLMA since 2017. An avenue for recognising Aboriginal land, water and cultural heritage rights is through the establishment of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Land Management Agreements (ACHLMAs). ACHLMAs are designed to facilitate a proactive, holistic approach to managing and protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage and landscape.

Case study: Renewing Victoria's public land legislation

SDRF enabler - Prioritise culture

Hume Region staff met on country with Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) to build greater understanding of shared aspirations for public land management.

DEECA is undertaking significant work to deliver on the Government’s commitment to renew Victoria’s public land legislation, which has not been comprehensively reviewed since it was created.

Work is underway to replace complex and outdated Crown land Acts (the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978, Forests Act 1958 and Land Act 1958) with a new Public Land Act and refine the National Parks Act 1975.

Key proposed reform elements, include:

• A system of clear, legislated, public land management categories to replace current land statuses and simplify the complexity in the legal status of public land.
• Recognition of Traditional Owners and advancing their self-determination in relation to public land in a variety of ways.
• The establishment of a modern public land manager framework in the new Public Land Act to facilitate contemporary public land management.
• Simplified powers for tenures in the new Public Land Act to enable appropriate use of public land.
• A strengthened public land compliance and enforcement framework.

This will create a streamlined, contemporary and enabling legislative framework that will advance Traditional Owners’ self-determination and enable public land managers to protect and enhance the values of public land for the benefit of the community, while meeting current and future challenges. The reforms will not impact on current public land uses.

The public land legislation reforms seek to address current barriers to better support Traditional Owners to realise their aspirations in relation to land in a variety of ways. In practical terms, this would mean that there would be better opportunities for Traditional Owners to be involved in public land management in a variety of ways, including through more flexible joint management arrangements or being appointed as the direct public land manager, as Traditional Owners desire and as resources permit.

Proposals are based on direct discussions with Traditional Owner groups, submissions to DEECA, a workshop outcome, recommendations of the Victorian Traditional Owner Cultural Landscapes Strategy, and ongoing engagement.

Measure 18.1.6 Number of cultural burns conducted

In 2022-23, Traditional Owners conducted 20 cultural burns with the support of Victorian Government agencies. This is an increase of 7 since 2021-22 and 16 since 2018-19. DEECA continues to build stronger partnerships with Traditional Owners, assisting many with the planning, mapping and approvals currently required to deliver cultural burns on public land. During 2021-22, many Traditional Owner groups grew their staffing levels and capacity, and participated in a range of training. These activities have assisted Traditional Owner groups in increasing the number of cultural burns, as well as planning and delivering programs that reflect their cultural aspirations.

Measure 18.1.7 Number of formal partnership agreements for planning and management between Aboriginal communities and key water and catchment agencies

There are an increasing number of formal arrangements between Aboriginal communities and key water agencies to make decisions about water landscape management. There were 257 formal partnership agreements between Aboriginal communities and key water catchment agencies in 2022-23. This was an increase from 236 in 2021-22. 63 per cent of these partnerships were either active or ongoing in 2022-23.

Partnerships are being established to strengthen the role of Traditional Owners in water management and enable them to hold water and catchment agencies accountable. The Water is Life: Traditional Owner Access to Water Roadmap commits to develop new provisions in statements of obligations requiring formal partnerships between water corporations and Catchment Management Authorities and Traditional Owner groups, where Traditional Owners wish to do so. Individual water corporations and catchment management authorities have also established arrangements for deepening partnerships with Traditional Owners. For example, East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority has a partnership with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation that includes the ongoing care of the Mitchell River.

Case study: Dhelkunyangu Gatjin — Djaara Gatjin Strategy

In 2023, Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA) launched the Gatjin (water) Strategy, ‘Dhelkunyangu Gatjin’, which means working together to heal water. It sets out a pathway for Dja Dja Wurrung people to work with DEECA, water authorities and the community to manage water for a healthy and sustainable future.

DJAARA’s 2013 Recognition and Settlement Agreement with the State of Victoria gives Dja Dja Wurrung People a right to be involved in the management of water that falls on and flows through Dja Dja Wurrung Country.

“The Djaara Gatjin Strategy provides a pathway for government water agencies to meet their obligations under the agreement and, more importantly, to improve water management and heal country. DJAARA embraces the spirit of ngaldurrong (working together), and we look forward to partnering with water agencies to implement Dhelkunyangu Gatjin,” – Mr Rodney Carter, Dja Dja Wurrung Group CEO.

As part of the Gatjin Strategy Partners Implementation Control Group, DEECA and water sector agencies will continue supporting DJAARA to achieve their vision. This includes partnering with Dja Dja Wurrung to oversee water resources and develop initiatives that incorporate Dja Dja Wurrung's knowledge and practices into water management in their Country.

Case study: Walking Together: A new agreement between Taungurung and DEECA Biodiversity

SDRF enabler - Transfer power and resources to communities

Staff from Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) and DEECA came together to sign off on a partnership agreement in April 2023, that has been a year in the making. Yananyin gadhaba means “we walk together” in the Taungurung language and enables the two partners to deliver better outcomes for biodiversity by strengthening bioculturally informed care for Country.

Yananyin gadhaba recognises that we are all ultimately governed by Country. In order for Country to be healthy we must apply a holistic lens that recognises the interconnection between all things. The agreement identifies core principles of trust, respect, accountability and collaboration. It recognises that we must weave together our different ways of knowing if we are to meaningfully walk together to heal Country.

The agreement was developed and designed through an extensive co-design process during which TLaWC and DEECA staff met over a series of four meetings. These meetings were at times quite emotional and profound as all participants truthfully shared the thoughts and perspectives that inform their work on Country.

It is this strength in relationship and honesty that sits at the heart of Yananyin gadhaba. The next step is for the partners to gather again and co-develop a set of actions that will be delivered over the next 12 months.

Goal 19: Aboriginal culture and language are supported and celebrated

Overview

Measures under Goal 19 have continued to improve

The Victorian Government recognises culture as a protective factor critical to countering the poorer outcomes that are statistically experienced by Aboriginal people in Victoria. Language and cultural revitalisation is essential to grounding identity and to righting current and historic wrongs.

Goal 19 directly aligns with the following Closing the Gap Outcome and Target

Outcome 16: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and languages are strong, supported and flourishing.

• Target 16: By 2031, there is a sustained increase in number and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages being spoken.

Closing the Gap - How Victoria is tracking nationally

Nationally in 2018-19, there were 123 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages being spoken (with 14 considered strong).

In Victoria in 2018-19, there were 4 languages being spoken (with 0 considered strong). This target relies on data from the National Indigenous Languages Survey which is conducted at irregular intervals. There is currently no new data since the baseline year of 2018-19.

Measure 19.1.1 Participation in community events which celebrate Aboriginal culture

Case study: Major Aboriginal Cultural Events and Awards Program

SDRF enabler – Prioritise culture

The Major Aboriginal Cultural Events and Awards Program (Program) maintains the Victorian Government’s connection to Victoria’s Aboriginal community through:

• elevating the achievements and honouring the sacrifices of Aboriginal Victorians;
• promoting and celebrating examples of excellence among Aboriginal communities, culture and history;
• providing practical and meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal communities, the broader Victorian community and government to recognise and celebrate Victoria’s Aboriginal culture and history;
• increasing engagement with regional and rural Victoria and non-Aboriginal Victorians; and
• strengthening the Victorian Government’s relationship with Aboriginal Victorians and key Aboriginal stakeholders from across the State.

Case study: 2023 Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service (Service)

The Service was held on 31 May 2023 at the Shrine of Remembrance and honours Aboriginal service men and women, past and present.

Each year, the Service acknowledges the sacrifices of an Aboriginal service person or groups within the Australian Defence Force. In 2023, the Service highlighted the dedication and bravery of Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Melbourne Johnson—a distinguished soldier of Aboriginal descent who served in the Australian Imperial Force during World War I.

Case study: 2023 Ricci Marks Award

The Ricci Marks Award was held on 13 June 2023 and recognises the achievements and aspirations of young Aboriginal people in training, education, arts, sports, culture and community leadership.

In 2023, the Ricci Marks Award recognised five young Aboriginal people for their achievements and excellence. Yemurraki Egan and Jayde Couzens received the 2023 Ricci Marks Award and Cobain Tipiloura, Elijah Aaron Brown and Isaac Muller received the 2023 Rising Star Award. The Award recipients received bursaries to support them in achieving their aspirations.

Case study: 2023 NAIDOC State Reception (Reception)

Hosted by the Victorian Government, the Reception is an annual event during NAIDOC Week. It provides an opportunity for Victorians to reflect on NAIDOC celebrations and strengthens the relationship between the Victorian Government and Aboriginal people.

On 5 July 2023, the Victorian Government hosted the Reception at Parliament House. The event provided an opportunity for attendees to connect with community members and colleagues, hear from Elders and the Victorian NAIDOC Week awardees, and celebrate Aboriginal culture.

Case study: 2023 NAIDOC Program of Events

For over a decade, the Victorian Government has funded the Victorian NAIDOC Committee to host an annual program of events during NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC Week celebrates Aboriginal people and their achievements, cultures and histories. The 2023 program of events included the Victorian NAIDOC Awards, Flag Raising Ceremony, Pride Gala, NAIDOC March and NAIDOC Ball.

The Victorian NAIDOC Awards recognise the achievements of Elders, young Aboriginal people, Aboriginal sportspeople and Aboriginal members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Measure 19.1.2 Investment in Aboriginal language and culture revitalisation programs

Connectedness to culture and community strengthens individual and collective identities. Promotes positive self-esteem, resilience, and improved outcomes for Aboriginal people. While cultural identity is central to the lives of Aboriginal Victorians, all Victorians should celebrate and take pride in Aboriginal culture and language.

The below table outlines standalone Aboriginal language and culture revitalisation initiatives supported by the Victorian Government. Significant government investment in language and culture revitalisation is also embedded in many of the foundational programs and services delivered by ACCOs. Such as kinship family finding, return to Country and cultural camps.

Case study: Strengthening engagement with Traditional Owners in new school builds

SDRF enabler - Address racism and promote cultural safety

In 2023, the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) implemented significant changes to improve community-led, place-based decision-making and resourcing to enable Aboriginal communities to have a lead role in determining how Aboriginal cultures and perspectives are reflected in all new schools, major school upgrades, and new early childhood facilities.

As reported in 2022, the VSBA had introduced processes to formally consult with VAEAI and Traditional Owners on the design and naming of new schools. In 2023 this process was significantly strengthened through the creation of a dedicated Traditional Owner Engagement Team at the VSBA, to focus on improving engagement processes and outcomes.

The VSBA has introduced a comprehensive guide for all staff and contractors, “The Traditional Owner Best Practice Engagement Guide”, which outlines the ‘best practice’ process for engagement with Traditional Owners on school and early childhood building projects. The VSBA has introduced a comprehensive guide for all staff and contractors, “The Traditional Owner Best Practice Engagement Guide”, which outlines the ‘best practice’ process for engagement with Traditional Owners on school and early childhood building projects.

Through the implementation of the guide, Local Aboriginal communities have assisted the VSBA in school building and landscape designs, incorporating their cultural perspectives and insights to shape the schools on their lands. Because of these consultation activities, many new schools that have opened since the start of 2023 have First Nations-inspired playgrounds, landscaping, murals, artwork, building names in language, etc. This allows Aboriginal people to feel connected to the schools in their community and on their land.

The Building Quality Standards Handbook (BQSH), which sets the minimum quality criteria for all DE capital projects, requires Aboriginal culture to be recognised in all new buildings and significant upgrades to Victorian Government Schools. In 2023, the BQSH was reviewed and updated to reflect the new VSBA Traditional Owner engagement processes and protocols.

Case study: Melbourne Art Trams

For the third consecutive year Melbourne Art Trams made a return featuring original artwork from local First Peoples artists a collaboration between RISING, DTP, Creative Victoria, and Yarra Trams. The 2023 theme ‘Blak Futurism’ asked that designs about the future, climate change, care for country, expression of identity, indigenous perspectives, practices, ways of knowing and alternative worlds.

Members of DTP’s First Peoples Staff Network were involved in shortlisting artists, with trams showcased on the network for 12 months. DTP has provided funding of $100,000 for each year of the program.

Artists include Peter Waples-Crowe (Ngarigu), Charlotte Allingham (Ngiyampaa), Lyn Thorpe and Coree Thorpe (Yorta Yorta/Wamba Wemba, Woiwurrung, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Wurundjeri), Jay Van Nus (Pibelmin Noongar), Rubii Red (Lama Lama) and Amina Briggs (Boonwurrung/erub – Torres Strait).

Case study: The Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy (VALGS) working group

Through the Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy 2021-2026 (VALGS), DGS supports local government to embed the voices and priorities of Aboriginal communities at a local government level. Local Government Victoria formed a VALGS Working Group in 2023, with the purpose to provide strategic advice and guidance on the implementation of VALGS. The Working Group is made up of representatives from Aboriginal communities and Traditional Owners, local government peak bodies, and the Victorian Government. The Terms of Reference for the Working group guarantees Aboriginal participation through its quorum, chairing, voting, and remuneration requirements. The Working Group is responsible for determining priority actions and evaluation of the VALGS at a state-wide level. At its November 2023 meeting, the Working Group agreed to focus on cultural competency and community sentiment as priority actions. DGS is working closely with Reconciliation Victoria, in partnership with Working Group organisations, to conduct a sector-wide survey to assess councils' awareness of VALGS and build base-line data on councils’ progress in their VALGS implementation. This data will form the basis for monitoring VALGS implementation and future actions. The Working Group is also considering the development of an evaluation/performance framework for VALGS.

Goal 20: Racism is eliminated

Overview

Measures under Goal 20 have worsened

Concerningly, there has been an increase in experiences of racial prejudice and an increase in the perceived prevalence of racist attitudes for Aboriginal Australians. There has also been an increase in the number of racism related complaints by First Nations people to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

Closing the Gap – Relevant Outcomes and Targets for Goal 20

The National Agreement does not contain outcomes and targets that align with this VAAF goal. Victoria is pursuing more ambitious and comprehensive goals under the VAAF, which are reported on in this chapter and the Data Dashboard.

Closing the Gap - How Victoria is tracking nationally

Not applicable.

20.1 Address and eliminate racism

Measure 20.1.1 Proportion of Aboriginal people who report having experienced racism in the previous 6 months

In the 2022 Australian Reconciliation Barometer survey, 60 per cent of Aboriginal respondents reported experiencing racial prejudice in the past six months compared to 25 per cent of general community respondents. This has been trending upwards since 2016. The survey does not include disaggregated results for Victoria and is biennial.

One indicator of racism experienced by Aboriginal Victorians is formal complaints made to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC). The VEOHRC is now publishing an annual First Nations Data Report. From 2017–18 to 2022-23, 157 First Nations people made complaints about discrimination, sexual harassment, and victimisation to the VEOHRC. Since 2017–18, disability discrimination (35 per cent of issues raised in complaints) and race discrimination (21 per cent) were the most common issues that First Nations people raised in complaints.

In recent years, the VEOHRC have made changes to make their complaints service. To be more accessible and culturally safe for First Nations complainants. This has had an influence on the increase in the number of complaints received from First Nations people.

The complaints and enquiries received by the VEOHRC represent a fraction of the instances of discrimination experienced by First Nations people. It is not representative of all experiences of discrimination experienced by First Nations people.

Measure 20.1.2 Prevalence of racist attitudes in Australia

In the 2022 Australian Reconciliation Barometer survey, 57 per cent of Aboriginal respondents and 42 per cent of non-Aboriginal respondents answered agree or strongly agree to the prompt ‘Australia is a racist country’. This is compared to 48 per cent of Aboriginal and 35 per cent of non-Aboriginal respondents who responded so in 2014. The survey does not include disaggregated results for Victoria and is biennial.

Belief that Australia is a racist country has grown since 2014. Overall, this suggests that Australians either believe Australia is becoming more racist or are becoming more aware of existing racism. The increased awareness of discrimination against First Nations Australians and other racial minorities due to social media and the growth of the Bla(c)k Lives Matter movement is likely to have informed the results.

Domain 6 - Victorian Government Investment and Action

The Victorian Government is committed to promoting self-determination, Treaty and Truth. Supporting Traditional Owners is a critical element of that.

The key Aboriginal Governance Forum for realising outcomes in this Domain is the Caring for Country Partnership Forum.

Yoorrook Justice Commission – land injustice inquiry

The Yoorrook Justice Commission's hearings in 2024 will address land injustice. The State will continue to provide information and evidence to the Commission to support this line of inquiry as requested by the Commission, including through Ministerial witness appearances and witness statements made to the Commission.

Environment and Energy

Statewide Caring for Country Partnership Forum

The Statewide Caring for Country Partnership Forum (The Forum), which was established in 2020, serves as the formal accountability mechanism between DEECA and Traditional Owners. The forum includes the Traditional Owner Corporation Caucus (TOC Caucus) comprising of eleven ‘formally recognised’ Traditional Owner Corporations, along with key DEECA decision-makers such as the DEECA Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Parks Victoria CEO, and Director.

The Forum enables the Traditional Owner Corporation Caucus to communicate and progress their strategic goals in an effort to transfer power and resources back to Traditional Owners.

In 2022-2023 DEECA supported the delivery of two Statewide Caring for Country Partnership Forums. The inaugural on Country statewide forum was held in person in October 2022 and was co-chaired and hosted by Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation. The second on Country and in person forum was co-chaired and hosted by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in April 2023.

Outcomes of the forum to date include:

• the commitment to undertake funding reform, including streamlining funding with TOCs, developing and implementing Traditional owner-led budget bid mechanisms,
• the re-establishment of the Cultural Fire Leadership Group,
• enhanced TOC Caucus and Minister engagement,
• the development of an implementation plan that seeks to address strategic priorities: Self-determining governance, Intellectual property and Indigenous data sovereignty, Energy, Water as life giving, Climate Action & Biodiversity and Cultural Fire.

In the 2022-23 financial year DEECA committed to further supporting the Traditional Owner Corporation Caucus and its strategic work by providing an expansion of funding to the role of the secretariat to include policy support.

Regional Caring for Country Partnership Forums (or equivalent engagement meetings) operate independently and are linked to the Statewide Forum through the sharing of CEO Traditional Owner Corporation members. The benefit of these meetings has been more consistent in growing relationships between DEECA and Traditional Owner Corporations, particularly at the senior level.

Streamlined funding

In March 2023, then Minister for Environment made a commitment to the Traditional Owner Corporations Caucus to identify an alternate funding model to address the barriers to self-determination in the current funding model. The new model aims to streamline both funding and governance processes, as well as ease the burden Traditional Owner Corporations experience when administering, delivering, and reporting on funds and grants from DEECA. Following this, the Executive Board endorsed proposals to reform funding with Victoria’s formally recognised Traditional Owner Corporations.

This funding reform represents a significant milestone in DEECA’s partnership with Traditional Owners, showcasing DEECA’s dedication to supporting Traditional Owners as they honour their rights and obligations to care for Country.

The role of Traditional Owner Corporations and Traditional Owner Land Management Boards will become increasingly important as the planning context evolves. Country-based plans offer a Traditional Owner led way to manage Country.

Cultural Fire Grants and Core funding

As a part of the 2021-22 Budget, the Victorian Government has pledged $22.6 million over four years, with $6.3 million per year ongoing, to revitalise cultural land and fire management practices led by Traditional Owners. The Cultural Fire Grants program has awarded a total of $6.3 million to ten successful Traditional Owner Corporations. The program’s goal is to reinvigorate Traditional Owner-led cultural land and fire management practices.

All eleven officially recognised Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations receive core funding to support their Country plans, Cultural Fire Strategy, and Cultural Landscapes Strategy. This funding is distributed from 2021-22 through 2024-25 to aid Traditional Owners in executing their plans.

Progress thus far includes:

• State-wide, 10 projects funded, assisting Traditional Owners to conduct cultural burns across the Victorian landscape.
• Supporting Traditional Owners in their delivery of the Cultural Fire objectives described in regional Self-Determination and Caring for Country Plans.
• Cultural burns on public land increased significantly, from four in 2019 to twenty in 2022/23, a 35 per cent increase on the previous financial year. Traditional Owner Corporations have conducted forty-eight cultural burns, supported by DEECA, on public land to date.
• Five new Cultural Fire Officer roles funded and commenced in 2023.
• DEECA continues to work to build stronger partnerships with several Traditional Owner Corporations, assisting with planning, mapping and approvals currently required to deliver Cultural Burns on public land.

DEECA has recently partnered with the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations (FVTOC) to re-establish and facilitate the Cultural Landscapes Knowledge Forum to support decision making bodies.

This group will be given the necessary resources to support monitoring and evaluation of the Cultural Landscapes Strategy over a period of two years (2023-2025).

A Cultural Fire Community of Practice has been established and is operational. Throughout 2022-23, three meetings were held, including the first On Country gathering held on Barengi Gadjin Country.

Funding as part of new renewable energy infrastructure

The Victorian Government has provided support to Traditional Owner Corporations to enable their informed participation in the planning and establishment of new transmission and renewable energy infrastructure, with a particular focus on protecting cultural heritage values on Country and increasing input and decision-making by Traditional Owners. VicGrid has provided funding to Barengi Gadjin Land Council and DJAARA to support their engagement in the planning and delivery of transmission infrastructure projects in western Victoria.

Additionally, the Victorian Government, through VicGrid and the Victorian Transition Investment Framework, has announced a plan to share benefits arising from the energy transition with Traditional Owners. Consultation is currently underway on that plan. In December 2023, through Offshore Wind Energy Implementation Statement 3, the Victorian Government announced its commitment to supporting Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation’s (GLaWAC) aspirations for mutually beneficial agreements with feasibility licence holders, in line with international best practice. The agreements will form part of the tender assessment process with GLaWAC verifying the information provided. Targeted funding has been made available to Traditional Owner Corporations whose Country is involved in offshore wind development. This funding strengthens Traditional Owner Corporations’ capacity to enable effective engagement with their Traditional Owner communities, the offshore wind industry and government; and guide knowledge and understanding of, and provide input on, offshore wind and its impact on Country and Sea Country.

Renewable Energy Grants program

The Traditional Owner Renewable Energy Program (TOREP) is the Victorian Government’s first tailored renewable energy grant program for Traditional Owner Corporations. It provides up to $100,000 to each Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) who applied, addressing energy issues relevant to their community and corporation needs. TOREP supports RAPs to decide how they would like to participate in Victoria’s renewable energy transformation and transition to clean energy.

DEECA has worked in partnership with RAPs towards capacity-building initiatives such as the development of renewable energy roadmaps, implementation of solar and battery systems and feasibility reviews to adopt energy efficiency measures. This work is helping communities review their energy usage and find ways to cut power costs.

The First Peoples Adoption of Renewable Energy (FPARE) Program was announced in March 2023 by the Minister for Energy and Resources. $960,000 has been made available to Traditional Owner Corporations for clean energy grants, that will go towards building renewable energy capacity and capability for Traditional Owner Corporations and First Peoples communities. Projects could develop Traditional Owner Corporation specific energy initiatives, create resources to share energy knowledge, assist in accessing government programs, and build on projects funded under the previous Traditional Owner Renewable Energy Program (TOREP).

Water is Life

Released in September 2022, Water is Life: Traditional Owner Access to Water Roadmap (Water is Life) sets out the Victorian government commitments and policy pathways in the short, medium, and long term to increase decision-making and resources for Traditional Owners in the management of water landscapes, as well as increasing Traditional Owner access to water.

Development of Water is Life was led by Traditional Owners over 2021 and 2022. Water is Life includes 27 Nation Statements prepared by Traditional Owner groups, expressing their cultural and water-related values, goals and aspirations in their own words.

A key commitment in Water is Life (Targeted Outcome 2) is to develop a new provision in statements of obligations for water corporations and Catchment Management Authorities to enter formal partnership agreements with Traditional Owners to make and implement decisions about water landscapes management on their Country.

Formal partnership agreements between Aboriginal communities and key water and catchment agencies have increased from 66 in 2019 to 236 in 2022 and 257 in 2023. This shows the strengthening relationships between the water sector and Traditional Owners, which will be further deepened through implementation of Water is Life commitments.

Transport and Planning

NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week Events

A series of events for Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC week in 2023 were held across the Transport and Planning portfolio including two signature events where all Portfolio staff were invited to attend either in person or online.

The Yani Bangal Transport and Planning Portfolio First Peoples Careers Strategy 2023-2028 was officially launched at the Reconciliation Week event in June 2023, which aligned with the national theme of ‘Be a Voice for Generations’. The event concluded with a Q&A panel that included members of the Portfolio First Peoples Staff Network and senior staff from DTP.

The 2023 NAIDOC week event themed ‘For our Elders’ featured Aunty Eleanor Bourke as a guest speaker. Aunty Eleanor gave a very engaging overview of the origin and work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, and then participated in a panel discussion with other First Peoples staff from the portfolio.

Engagement with community

DTP is committed to engaging with Victorian’s First Peoples Community in way that is culturally safe, and supports the free, prior, and informed consent of Traditional Owners. Traditional Owners knowledge informs reform across the Transport and Planning portfolio.

Examples of larger engagements by the portfolio which protect and realise Aboriginal land, water and cultural rights include A Plan for Victoria, Victoria’s Road Maintenance Strategy, Planning Controls, Renewable Energy and the ongoing access and operations of Victoria’s transport and road network and precincts.

DTP established a state-wide approach to RAP engagement on A Plan for Victoria to have greater self-determination and decision making on future planning implications for their respective Country’s. This includes the development of the 'Self determination and Caring for Country’ Pillar which underpins the Plan.

Naming Assets and Celebrating Culture

DTP is naming assets, infrastructure, programs, and strategies in First Peoples of Victoria languages in keeping with the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022 – 2032 (UNDIL). Examples are:

• Wurrek-al (‘Talking with purpose’ in Wergaia Language) Transport and Planning Portfolio First Peoples Engagement Framework
• Yani Bangal (‘Let’s go together’ in Taungurung Language) Transport and Planning Portfolio First Peoples Careers Strategy
• Renaming of Level 2, 1 Spring Street meeting rooms in Wurundjeri Woiwurrung language.

Tourism, Sports and Events

First Peoples’ tourism has been identified as a priority tourism ‘pillar’ for Victoria with competitive strengths and significant growth potential for Victoria’s visitor economy. The Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan and Regional Tourism Review identified this opportunity, and DJSIR has commenced work on the development of a self-determined First Peoples’ Tourism Plan. The First Peoples’ Tourism Plan will work to empower local communities to develop their own tourism products, unify strategies that are already in place and identify opportunities to enhance cultural experiences by linking existing First Peoples’ tourism products.

The community engagement for the First Peoples Tourism Plan commenced in February 2024. This initiative aims to gather input to shape the Plan and provide First Peoples communities with a platform to voice their perspectives and contribute to the Strategy. The Plan holds the potential to facilitate the preservation of culture among younger generations by leveraging tourism opportunities and sharing cultural experiences with visitors.