Gatjin / Water

We heal waterways

Gatjin (water) is the lifeblood of Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung Country)

The Dja Dja Wurrung Gatjin Strategy outlines Djaara’s aspirations, goals and expectations for water management on Djandak. Building on the aspirations and values set out by Dja Dja Wurrung in the Dhelkunya Dja (Country Plan), we work with our stakeholders to heal the waterways, rivers and wetlands of Djandak.

The waterways of Central Victoria are central to our cultural identity and our aspirations for community and economic development. They are places to camp, hunt, fish, swim and hold Ceremony. They provide food, medicine and other resources, and contain many cultural heritage sites that help us connect with our Ancestors. They are places where we can pass traditional knowledge on to our children and grandchildren.

The four main rivers on Djandak are the yaluk (Campaspe), bulatjal yaluk (Loddon), yang (Avoca) and Avon/Richardson. Djandak’s waterways also include smaller rivers and creeks such as the dindilong yaluk (Coliban River) and yaram yaram manya (Bendigo Creek), and many wetlands and lakes such as those as Boort, Eppalock, Laanecoorie and the Mooloort Plains.

Our services

Service
Integrated water management solutions	We provide an integrated and holistic view to waterway management, synthesising scientific and cultural knowledge into our solutions. We manage waterways the Djaara way.
Water planning, strategy, Project & Program management	Our specialist team manages the whole lifecycle of waterway management from establishing the vision through a Djaara lens, through to developing the strategy, defining the desired outcomes and planning the actions, through to the nuts and bolts of managing projects, programs, budgets, timelines, stakeholders and communications.
Water policy development	We work with Djaara members and the Dja Dja Wurrung Group to develop policy that shapes outcomes and is easy for stakeholders to understand. We understand the industry, the context and the environment we operate in and respond to current water issues with a clear policy voice that represents Djaara People’s interests and aspirations.
Project & Program management	We manage the project lifecycle from planning through to delivery, ensuring agreed timelines, budget, scope, and quality standards are met. We administer various programs of work with the Gatjin team.
Catchment planning	We plan water landscapes at the catchment area using a holistic approach.
Regional partnerships	We partner with various agencies and organisations that have an interest in water management.
Aboriginal Waterway Assessments	We engage Djaara members to provide traditional ecological and cultural knowledge and advice on waterways. Supported by contemporary science and local knowledge, our waterway assessments inform our
Waterway Remediation & Restoration (on ground works)	Based on Traditional Knowledge, we deliver on ground works to remediate and heal waterways. This includes healing riparian zones, managing erosion, improving water quality and flow patterns, and returning native vegetation.
Waterway monitoring	We offer waterway monitoring services to gather data related to water quality, nutrients and chemicals, waterbugs, fish and other animals, and other metrics of waterway health.

Our rivers are the veins of Country. It is a big task to heal our waterways so that they can continue to be the lifeblood of our Country.

Goal 5: Rivers and Waterways (Dhelkunya Dja)

The Gatjin Journey

Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung Country) has sustained the Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples for tens of thousands of years. The health of the People is linked to the health of Djandak, especially the health of the soil, the plants, the animals, and the water. When Djandak is sick, so too are Djaara. 

The Gatjin team enables enables and empowers Djaara People to take their rightful place as the experts in water management on Djandak. We help our stakeholders gain access to Djaara’s cultural knowledge and Djaara values so that water projects, strategies or policies are based on Djaara’s way of healing Country. We provide oversight, advice and value to maximise the efforts of your organisation in ensuring waterways are improved with Traditional Owner input and support for the benefit of the whole community.

Gatjin (Water) team in enables Djaara people to take their rightful place as the experts in water management on Djandak. We facilitate access to Djaara cultural knowledge and Djaara values a range of strategies, policies and projects related to water on Djandak. This allows us to ensure that we all care for Djandak.

We work with a range of stakeholders to ensure their work is guided by Djaara and that funds intended to support water initiatives are diverted to DJANDAK. In this way we contribute to the achievement of the goals of Dhelkunya Dja (Country Plan) and walk the path towards returning active custodianship of Djandak to the Traditional Owners.

Our stakeholders include:

Catchment Management Authorities
Water Authorities
State Government Agencies
Land Developers
Private land holders

As the Traditional Custodians of these waterways, Djaara feel a strong obligation to assist anyone wanting to support a Djaara led initiative to heal Djandak’s land and waters.

‘djaa ba gatjin dhelkunyangu, dhelk gatjini djuwenuwangu’
We are empowered as the Traditional custodians of this land to care for Country and apply Djaara knowledge to heal our waterways
– returning good spirit to Gatjin.