GWMWater acknowledges and pays respect to past and present Traditional Custodians and Elders connected to the GWMWater service area and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We acknowledge:
- the valuable connection of Indigenous cultures to the heritage of all Australians;
- the historic occupation of the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee regions by Aboriginal peoples;
- the importance of protecting sites of high significance to traditional owners being Indigenous places, objects, ancestral remains and intangible heritage;
- the historical, artistic, scientific and social or spiritual value that places, objects and collections have for past, present and future generations;
- the cultural heritage significance of Aboriginal traditions related to land and water.
GWMWater is proud of our relationships with Traditional Owners and we are working hard to be more inclusive and provide more opportunities for involvement in the water industry. We are building on past activities to prepare an Aboriginal Inclusion Plan to document our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Areas of focus
GWMWater develops Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) for capital projects to ensure that cultural heritage is protected and contingencies are formally adopted. GWMWater will continue to strongly engage with traditional owners, particularly Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs), during CHMP development.
GWMWater acknowledges the long-term custodianship of land and water by traditional owners in our service area. GWMWater will engage traditional owners in discussions relating to water management, particularly the management of land with cultural values and the development of major new infrastructure projects.
GWMWater’s social purchasing policy outlines the positive outcomes that can be achieved by considering multiple aspects of procurement. GWMWater is committed to sourcing goods and services from Aboriginal businesses particularly for activities in the vicinity of Aboriginal Places.
GWMWater directly employs about 180 people in a broad range of roles. GWMWater encouages all Aboriginal persons to consider traineeships and ongoing roles in all aspects of GWMWater’s business.
GWMWater works closely with Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) in the development of Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) for many of our capital projects. Where there is no appointed RAP, we work with First Peoples State Relations to protect our heritage during works. Cultural heritage is also considered in relation to our routine and operational activities. In fact, GWMWater and Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation were presented with a Premier's Sustainability award in 2019 for work on CHMPs for the South West Loddon Pipeline.
GWMWater is a public land manager with a large estate spread across our service area. We assess crown land against a variety of criteria including our obligations under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 and Native Title Act 1993. GWMWater has embraced its duty under Land Use Activity Agreements to provide recognition and community benefit to native title holders.
There are several RAPs representing the interest of Traditional Owners associated with the GWMWater Service Area:
- Barengi Gadjin Land Council (BGLC)
- Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation)
- Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC)
- First people of the Millewa Mallee Aboriginal Corporation
- Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
- Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
A number of standalone Traditional Owner groups are engaged in our service area:
- Wadi Wadi Wemba Wamba Barapa Barapa First Nations Aboriginal Corporation
- Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN)
- Dadi Dadi Weki Weki Aboriginal Corporation
- Latji Latji Mumthelang Aboriginal Corporation
- Wadi Wadi Traditional Owner group
- Wadi Wadi Land & Water Indigenous Corporation
GWMWater is an equal opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to consider a career at GWMWater. Those seeking information or advice about roles in the water industry can call us on 1300 659 961.
In March 2021 Victoria introduced the Gender Equality Act 2020 (The Act). The Act seeks to improve and promote workplace gender equality by mandating public sector organisations to develop and implement a Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP).
Public sector organisations, such as GWMWater, play an important role in shaping services and policies impacting gender equality in the community and in role modelling gender equality to the public that we serve.
In developing the GEAP, we acknowledge that gender inequality can be amplified by disadvantage or discrimination arising from other characteristics such as Aboriginality, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, race, religion and sexual orientation.
Download the Gender Equality Action Plan
You can also see our Gender Equality Action Plan Progress Report
Gender Equality
For GWMWater, gender equality means that we have a workplace that identifies and addresses disadvantage in all its forms and ensures equal access of opportunities and resources to all employees irrespective of their gender.
Gender
It is important to understand the difference between gender and sex. Gender is a social construct, where people see themselves as a man, woman, non-binary or gender-fluid. Sex refers to biological sex characteristics and includes male, female and intersex. Achieving gender equality helps to remove expectations on the sexes, allowing people to be equal, and ensuring freedom from stereotypes that may be limiting or damaging.
You may apply to extend our network to front your property.
If approved, you will be required to complete the works under the Developer works process, and the completed works are gifted to GWMWater for ongoing operation and maintenance. The fronted properties are then eligible to apply for a connection.
New Customer Contributions (NCC) and Growth Water costs may be applicable.
To apply, submit an Application for developer works, as well as design plans for the extension.
Please refer to Developer works page for more information.
Intervening properties
Where you install an extension that fronts other properties that could benefit from the works, the owners of those properties will not be under an obligation to contribute to the cost of the works but shall be entitled to apply to GWMWater to connect to the works in due course.
You are encouraged to negotiate with intervening landowners to seek cooperation in contributing to the cost of the works.
Let's talk water is an education series brought to you by GWMWater and the Storage Manager.
Have you ever thought about the challenges and complexities of managing water across the region? This series covers a number of water resourcing topics by some of the experts including:
- Kym Wilson, Manager Water Resources GWMWater & Storage Manager
- Suzy McDonald, Water Treatment Technologist GWMWater
Subscribe to the mailing list to receive new episodes straight to your inbox.
An education series brought to you by GWMWater and the Storage Manager
Lake Fyans is being upgraded with works on the embankment and marina. These works will desilt and deepen the marina, allowing larger boats to continue to use it, even when water levels are lower.
The Storage Manager started moving water from Lake Fyans to Taylors Lake in mid-September 2022, in order for GWMWater to complete the project. We do not expect water levels at the reservoir to be below those needed for recreational activities over summer.
The Lake Fyans Embankment Upgrade Project is an investment in water supply infrastructure as well as an integral recreational lake for community, tourists and local sporting clubs.
Frequently asked questions
Approximately 1,200 ML will be transferred to Taylors Lake with releases of around 50 ML/day. This will reduce the water level by approximately 30 centimetres. As per normal seasonal conditions, the lake will naturally reduce by up to 70 centimetres. Recreation activities will be able to continue as usual over the summer months.
The water transfer occurred in September 2022 to make the most of cooler daytime temperatures and a wet catchment to reduce any losses in water associated with the transfer.
Water transfers started in mid-September 2022. Works are due to be completed in 2023.
Water levels at Lake Fyans are generally lower over summer and would be naturally close to the level it needs to be to do the embankment works. Earth works require the bank to be dry, so the work is to be carried out over summer when there is less rainfall forecast.
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