Rivers and wetlands are of great cultural and spiritual significance to Aboriginal peoples. Water for the environment in New South Wales is planned in partnership with Aboriginal peoples, achieving shared benefits on Country.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the department) acknowledges the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of New South Wales to care for Country and water.
The department is committed to:
- establishing and maintaining partnerships with Aboriginal peoples to include their voice in the management of water for the environment
- creating opportunities for Aboriginal peoples to share traditional knowledge and cultural science when objectives are set for the use of water for the environment in annual and long-term water planning.
Examples of this could be working with Aboriginal peoples to identify important cultural sites that the community may want environmental water to be delivered to, supporting Nation-led water projects, or reflecting Aboriginal people's aspirations in water planning.
