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 nation 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.
In 2023, we launched our first Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), outlining our commitment to building strong relationships, deepening cultural understanding and creating meaningful opportunities for First Nations communities.
We’ve made significant progress since then, and we are now delivering our second Innovate RAP, building on this momentum to further strengthen partnerships and embed reconciliation across our organisation.
Our vision for reconciliation underpins our GWW 2030 Strategy vision: Thriving people and Country and guides our focus on healing and caring for Country.
Country is a First Nations peoples understanding that includes the intricate interconnections and relationships between land, water, air, sky, people, animals and spirits to which they are connected and belong.
Country is an important concept that encompasses relationships and knowledge, and one we honour and embrace. We strive to deliver water services that will heal and care for Country.
We are committed to working in partnership with local Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples to share knowledge that shapes the future of water management while respecting and maintaining their cultural and spiritual connections to Country.
Here are some ways we’re doing this:
Providing Traditional Owners with a direct line of contact into GWW through our First Nations Partnerships Team Leader, who also advises the organisation on how our work relates to and impacts 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.
Working with cultural heritage advisors and Traditional Owner groups to recognise and preserve the cultural values of the sites we operate on.
