The Andrews Labor Government is supporting Aboriginal Victorians to care for Country, investing in projects that promote self-determination through land management and enhance cultural and environmental values on Country.

Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio today announced the Labor Government is investing $1.97 million across 10 Traditional Owner-led and Aboriginal community group-led projects as part of the Caring for Country Grants program and Landcare for Country pilot program.

Both programs support Traditional Owners’ and Aboriginal Victorians’ rights to practice land management activities on Country which play a key role in supporting self-determination. Successful recipients of the Caring for Country Grants program include:

• Taungurung Land and Waters Council for two projects including to map Taungurung biocultural values and develop expertise to protect freshwater fauna.
• Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland Inc to support weed management and further development of the First Peoples native nursery to purchase plant stands to house native plants on.
• Firesticks Alliance for work to heal Country on two sites.
• Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation to develop sites to be places for learning about, caring for and engaging with Country.
• Jaithmathang Traditional Ancestral Bloodline Original Owners First Nation Aboriginal Corporation to use environmental DNA (eDNA) to understand biodiversity within Jaithmathang Country.
• Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation to support the Gunditjmara community to visit and connect with Deen Maar (Lady Julia Percy Island) and surrounding Sea Country.

As part of the Landcare for Country Pilot, funding will also be provided to Tati Tati Kaiejin Ltd, Barengi Gadjin Land Council, and Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation to support projects that deliver aspirations for Country, employment opportunities and create partnerships with environmental volunteer groups.

The funding is part of the Labor Government’s Biodiversity 2037 plan – to stop the decline of native plants and animals and improve the state’s natural environment – which has invested over $560 million in protecting biodiversity and the environment since 2014.

Quote attributable to Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio

“For tens of thousands of years, Traditional Owners have been protecting and caring for our environment – this investment will make sure their culture and knowledge continues to inform the way land is managed and cared for.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams

“We are proud to be supporting Traditional Owners to deliver their projects and share their knowledge of land management and Country, a vital part of Victoria’s path to Aboriginal self-determination.”