Based in Brookvale
- Excellent Pay rates
- Opportunity to extend
Role Context
**Aboriginal Water Program**
The objectives of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning's Water,
Country and Community Program are to invest in projects, activities, and resources across
Victoria, to enable better participation of Aboriginal people in the way water is managed and
delivered. The Water, Country and Community Program aims to deliver on the following
objectives:
- Enhanced opportunities for Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians to manage water for self-determined purposes.
- Increased Traditional Owner influence over water policy and management decision making.
- Employment of Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians within Traditional Owner Groups and the water sector.
- Documentation of water-dependent Aboriginal values and economic development opportunities at priority places; and
- Increased internal capacity for government and the water sector regarding Aboriginal values, heritage and practices.
The program was designed to better include Aboriginal people in water management and to
reconnect communities to water for cultural, economic, customary, and spiritual purposes. It
does this by making funding available for Aboriginal Water Officers and projects to better
progress Aboriginal access and management to water, for self-determined purposes.
**Aboriginal Water Officers**
Aboriginal Water Officers are positions funded by the Department of Environment, Land,
Water and Planning (DELWP) to support Traditional Owners across Victoria
Aboriginal Water Officers (or their equivalents) play a significant role in leading local projects
and programs to contribute to environmental and economic outcomes for Traditional Owners
and Aboriginal communities and support the Victorian Government to deliver on several
legislative and policy commitments. The Aboriginal Water Officer (or their equivalents)
should aim to contribute towards progressing the following actions outlined in Water for
Victoria Chapter 6:
- Action 6.1: to recognise Aboriginal values and objectives of water
- Action 6.2: to include Aboriginal values and traditional ecological knowledge in water planning
- Action 6.3: to support Aboriginal access to water for economic development
- Action 6.4: to build capacity to increase Aboriginal participation in water management
- Action 10.8: to increase Aboriginal inclusion in the water sector
- Action 10.9: to support economic development through Aboriginal participation.
Activities to progress Water for Victoria actions can be determined by the funding recipient,
in line with individual water-related aspirations. Activities could include, but are not limited to:
- Supporting and hosting events and activities on Country with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities to promote Aboriginal water values and aspirations
- Increasing Traditional Owners, Catchment Management Authorities, Water Corporation, and the Departments understanding of Aboriginal water values, requirements, and use
- Promoting inclusion of Aboriginal values and uses in water planning and management
- Building capacity for Traditional Owner to participate in water planning, including: Sustainable Water Strategies, Urban Water Strategies, Victorian Waterway Management Strategy and similar, where applicable
- Contributing to Seasonal Watering Plans, Intergraded Water Management plans and similar, where applicable
- Progressing aspirations through Water Resource Plans and similar, if applicable
- Participating in the Aboriginal Water Officer Network facilitated by the Aboriginal Water Unit of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
**About the Organisation**
In 2020, Jaithmathang Senior Elder, Loreman and Songman, Goengalla Yin Jumma
Myermal Minjeke and Senior Elder Goengalla Yin Goro Konermar Wotter established
Jaithmathang Traditional Ancestral Bloodline Original Owners First Nation Aboriginal
Corporation (Jaithmathang TABOO).
Jaithmathang TABOO is working to commence the journey of healing and reconciliation for
Jaithmathang people and for our Ancient Original Traditional Bimble (Country).
Through forging relationships and working with government representatives, relevant
stakeholders and the wider community, Jaithmathang TABOO seeks to develop meaningful
and committed programs that assist in reinstating traditional, age old practices of fire and
water management, to forge self-reliance and the right to self-determination through cultural
education, training and meaningful upskilling opportunities, and to reconnect Jaithmathang
people to Bimble, so that we may exercise our inherent right to manage and care for our
Bimble.
Accountabilities
**Partnership Development**
This position will play a key role in the development of strategic partnerships with a variety of
government agencies, non-for-project organisations, land managers, and the broader
community in relation