Melbourne Water respectfully acknowledges the Bunurong, Gunaikurnai, Taungurung, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and water on which we rely and operate. We pay our deepest respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
We recognise and respect the continued cultural and spiritual connections that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with the land and water they have cared for and protected for thousands of generations.
We demonstrate our ongoing commitment to reconciliation through our partnerships with Traditional Owners and the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, as we work together to manage land and water now and into the future, while maintaining and respecting cultural and spiritual connections.
Melbourne Water’s Connection to Country
Bunurong, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung represent the majority of the land within Melbourne Water’s operating area. Gunaikurnai and Taungurung represent smaller parcels of land bordering Melbourne Water’s service area. The Thomson Reservoir, on Gunaikurnai Country, is filled by rainfall received by the surrounding catchment. It transfers water to the Upper Yarra Reservoir, which in turn supplies Silvan Reservoir, with water then distributed across greater Melbourne. Wallaby Creek, on Taungurung Country, is an essential component of Melbourne’s water supply system, providing high quality water to greater Melbourne via the Yan Yean Reservoir.
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
Melbourne Water continues to walk the path of reconciliation, guided by the knowledge, leadership, and cultural authority of First Peoples. Our newly launched Stretch RAP represents a deepened commitment to self-determined outcomes, truth-telling, and holding ourselves to account. This is Melbourne Water’s fourth RAP and reflects our growing understanding that reconciliation must be grounded in strong, respectful relationships with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Over the last three years, we’ve worked alongside our partners to strengthen cultural understanding across our organisation, develop key plans in procurement, employee wellbeing and organisational capability, and move closer to embedding reconciliation as a core part of how we operate. But more importantly, we’ve listened — on Country, in Ceremony, and in conversation — to how our partners define partnership, responsibility, and respect.
This RAP was shaped through a process of collaboration, with Traditional Owner organisations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and communities, and Melbourne Water employees engaged from the outset. These voices helped guide its direction and will continue to inform its implementation.
Our Stretch RAP reflects a shared responsibility to care for Country and for each other. It’s not just a corporate document — it is a commitment to action, to relationships, and to building something better together. With over 25,000 kilometres of rivers, creeks and catchments under our care, we understand our responsibility to ensure First People values are centred in our decisions, now and for future generations.
We are proud to walk this path with Traditional Owners who have inherent rights and responsibilities for care for Country .
Together, we are building stronger relationships, deeper accountability, and a future grounded in respect and belonging.
Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC)
In July 2022, Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) and Melbourne Water signed a co-developed Partnership Agreement.
The agreement provides a pathway for us to talk about and work on ten priority commitments of mutual interest – from improved cultural understanding, recognising GLaWAC as our sovereign partner in land and water management and to start the discussion about water justice.
The Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation and Melbourne Water Partnership Agreement outlines our shared purpose, guiding principles and agreed priorities.
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC)
In June 2023, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) and Melbourne Water signed their partnership Agreement Wunggurwill Ngitj – which means Strong together.
This Partnership Agreement sets out the framework under which Melbourne Water and Wadawurrung will work together to support and implement the Paleert Tjaara Dja Wadawurrung Country Plan across the yulluks (waterways), Dja (Country) and skies of Wadawurrung Country.
Our ‘spirit of partnership’ agrees to recognise, respect, appreciate and support Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Wadawurrung Culture and Wadawurrung’s role in making decisions for and looking after Wadawurrung Dja (Country). We will work together to build capacity, develop skills, share knowledge and technology, educate, strengthen, and share culture and provide a strong economic foundation through rights to Wadawurrung Country for Wadawurrung people.