Synopsis
- Why did you do it?
The Upper Avoca catchment, nestled within Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung Country), has been stewarded by Dja Dja Wurrung People, known as Djaara, for millennia. However, post-colonial settlement has disrupted traditional management, leaving Country and waterways in dire need of healing. This project was designed to reintegrate Djaara knowledge, values, and traditional management into the Upper Avoca catchment, restoring harmony between people and Country.
- What did you do?
A partnership of DJANDAK, a Dja Dja Wurrung Group enterprise, and North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA), crafted the Upper Avoca Healthy Country Plan. We developed the structure and content of the plan through analysis of existing DJANDAK strategy and policy, North Central CMA plans, catchment data, a series of facilitated workshops with stakeholders and conservation experts, and time on Country. The process centred Djaara values and knowledge with partners’ priorities to ensure mutual outcomes for Djaara, Djandak and the protection of waterway health in the Upper Avoca catchment.
- What have you learned?
Centring Djaara values in planning leads all stakeholders to take on a mindset of long-term stewardship and intergenerational responsibility for healthy country, and increases appreciation of the interconnectedness of landscape, natural systems and people. This is a shift away from short-term thinking towards holistic, intergenerational catchment management.
- Why does it matter?
This work, centring Traditional Owner values in catchment management, offers a replicable model for sustainable catchment and waterway management. It illustrates the value of respecting and integrating two knowledge systems for the benefit of Country. Through healthy catchment planning, Traditional Owners and other stakeholders stand side by side in managing Country.
Author information
The project was led by DJANDAK and North Central CMA, with the support of RM Consulting Group (RMCG), and incorporated Djaara lore and knowledge systems and the expertise and knowledge systems of other stakeholders and conservation experts.
1. Caitlin Dunolly-Lee is the Dhelkunya Dja Gatjin Policy Manager at Dja Dja Wurrung Enterprises (Djandak) and a proud Dja Dja Wurrung woman, and has led Djaara input to the development of the Upper Avoca Healthy Catchment Plan.
2. Alannah Leach is project manager of Aboriginal project and partnerships at the North Central CMA, including the delivery of the Upper Avoca Healthy Catchment Plan.
3. Trent Wallis is an Associate consultant at RMCG with an extensive background in waterway management with a focus on strategic waterway policy and planning.
4. Claire is a Principal consultant at RMCG with more than a decade’s experience in strategic planning, facilitation and community projects.