Traditional Owners’ vision recognised

A PROJECT striving to transform a 66-hectare river plain on the banks of the Barwon River into a cultural, recreational and community precinct has been recognised at this year’s Victorian Water Awards.

Led by the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC), in partnership with Barwon Water and infrastructure consulting firm SMEC, the project was awarded the Organisational Excellence Award at a gala event last month.

The award, presented by the Australian Water Association (AWA), celebrates significant and innovative initiatives within the water industry that drive prosperity and sustainability.

A spokesperson for the AWA said this year’s Victorian Organisational Excellence Award attracted an impressive number of high-calibre submissions, each reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability, cultural engagement and community connection.

WTOAC’s winning project – named Porronggitj Karrong, or Place of the Brolga – was praised by the judging panel for its transformative vision and alignment with Wadawurrung values.

“The project fosters a unique living cultural landscape, encouraging meaningful community connection and learning about Country, which resonated deeply with the panel,” the AWA spokesperson said.

Still in its early stages, the $6.5 million project will see the removal of four sections of the Breakwater site’s heritage-listed Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct.

These sections of the aqueduct pose a risk to public safety and their removal will allow the Barwon River and land surrounding the structure to be reopened to the public for the first time in three decades.

Wadawurrung man and WTOAC trainee biodiversity officer Max Deutscher said it was great to see the value of the space recognised by the wider community.

“Personally, it feels amazing because I get to Culturally connect with my Country while working to improve it,” he said.

“I want to acknowledge the work of all Wadawurrung People who have contributed to this project, as this award belongs to them too.”

He said the aims for Porronggitj Karrong revolve around bringing that Country back to “what it should be”, including finding ways to manage flooding at the site and tackling the overgrown tangled lignum – a native shrub – to make it a healthy space that can be “a benefit to Culture, community and the wildlife”.

“The way we’re doing this work ensures that native species aren’t harmed – that’s the most crucial thing from our perspective.

“We’re being extremely selective in terms of how we clear and the methods in which we clear, because the goal is to make Country healthy and be able to have people back on Country in a healthy and thriving ecosystem.

“The site is set to become a useful place for the entire community, along with the ecosystem. It will also allow for the ability to grow food and develop endemic plants and seeds for propagation.”

To help explain the cultural story and values of the site and educate the community about the Porronggitj (brolga) and other native species that call it home, signage will be erected as part of the project.

“We’re discovering some amazing birds, we’ve spotted rakali (Australian water rat) and we’re conducting EDNA testing in the hopes we can confirm a platypus population,” Deutscher said.

“We’ve actually seen some brolgas come back, which is amazing. It’s the first time they’ve been spotted in decades.”