While many of us may take water for granted, to traditional owners water is life.

For thousands of generations, Indigenous Australians have used the natural resource for drinking, fishing, and washing.

But since colonisation, Indigenous communities have largely been excluded from the management of waterways.

This is because Native Title falls short of stipulating a clear right to take or manage water, other than small amounts for cultural purposes.

Although native title covers 40 per cent of Australia’s land, Aboriginal people hold less than 1 per cent of all water licences granting access to the nation’s surface water.

Water is life

Uncle Lloyd Hood from the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) has long been advocating for this to change.

“We think we can look after the rivers better,” he said.

“That’s not what we’re about. We used to be able to drink out of that, our people.”

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In November 2020, following years of campaigning, GLaWAC was granted two gigalitres of unallocated water in East Gippsland’s Mitchell River.

Now, more water is being returned to the Gunaikurnai traditional owners in a bid to further strengthen their connection to country.

Under a deal announced on Thursday by the Victorian government, the two new licences are at Buchan Munji, for 200 megalitres, and the Tambo River, for 500mL.

GLaWAC CEO Daniel Miller said the importance of this decision could not be understated.

“It’s one piece of a really complex puzzle, lining up all these roles of First Nations people as land managers and as future custodians,” Mr Miller said.

“This is another example of where we can start to change – to help people feel connected to their own land.”

Returning custodial rights

Following the Victorian government’s decision to return this water to the Gunaikurnai people, GLaWAC now has the ability to “self-determine” how it is used.

But Mr Miller said the organisation would not rush into decisions and would first focus on preservation of the natural environment.

In announcing the allocation, the Victorian government said it acknowledged and respected the deep cultural, spiritual, and economic connection to land, water, and resources that traditional owners had.

Minister for Water Harriet Shing said there was still a long way to go when it came to returning water to Indigenous communities across the state.

“These two water licences are the result of extensive collaboration between Southern Rural Water and GLaWAC,” Ms Shing said.

Southern Rural Water added that it is proud of its role in the water allocations and is committed to supporting traditional owners with self-determination.