Water for the environment has helped sustain some of the Goulburn catchment's most significant wetlands since 2011 and now Traditional Owners are developing watering actions to care for, heal and reconnect with Country through water.
Among the approximately 2,000 natural wetlands across the Goulburn Broken catchment, 10 receive water for the environment through entitlements held by the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) as well as contributions by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder. Together, these wetlands support a rich diversity of plants and animals, provide important breeding and refuge habitat, and hold deep cultural significance for the Taungurung and Yorta Yorta peoples.
A significant milestone during 2025-26 was the inclusion of a Traditional Owner-led seasonal watering proposal for Molesworth Billabongs, developed by the Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) for the second consecutive year. The proposal is informed by observations gathered through TLaWC's Reading Water Country program and guided by Baan Ganalina (Guardians of Water), the Taungurung water knowledge group. Through this work, Taungurung people are shaping watering priorities, monitoring biocultural values and guiding decisions about how water can best support Country.
In August 2025 Taungurung oversaw the first delivery of water into Molesworth Billabongs. This significant event was the culmination of nearly a decade of work starting back in 2017 when members of the Baan Ganalina (Guardians of Water) undertook an Aboriginal Waterway Assessment on Waring (the mid-Goulburn river) and identified a need to return water to the billabongs to help heal Taungurung Biik (Country).
Not only has the process taken time, it has also required collaboration and engagement across many organisations as well as relationships and knowledge building for TLaWC staff to learn technical knowledge about environmental water delivery. A second top-up delivery was completed at Molesworth Billabongs in March 2026 and more recently, actions included in the Seasonal Watering Plan 2026-27 have been assessed by TLaWC in consultation with Baan Ganalina members and the Taungurung community.
The positive response in the local community has been encouraging. TLaWC shared their journey to return water to Molesworth Billabongs through several community engagement events last year. These provided a valuable opportunity for residents to engage in TLaWC’s vision for Molesworth Billabongs and shared benefits of a healthier wetland that can be valued and enjoyed by the local community.
Water for the environment is helping maintain habitat for small-bodied native fish species while supporting native wetland vegetation and reducing the impact of invasive weeds. Recent monitoring at Molesworth Billabongs confirmed the presence of flathead galaxias post the 2022 floods, a species listed as vulnerable in Victoria and critically endangered nationally.
As outlined in the seasonal watering proposal:
"Baan Ganalina will gather and discuss what is happening at the billabongs regularly during the first few years of watering, and we will make decisions together about whether water should be delivered or not. As time goes on, we will learn more and more about what the billabongs need from us to heal."
The Molesworth Billabongs proposal demonstrates practical progress towards the aspirations of the Water is Life: Traditional Owner Access to Water Roadmap. It strengthens Traditional Owner leadership in water planning and management, enables water to be used to care for Country and achieve cultural objectives whilst achieving environmental outcomes, and strengthens collaborative approaches that support self-determination and healthy Country.
“The Taungurung community has led the process from the start to finish. Not only has water been returned to Country, but this process has given us an invaluable opportunity to work with our community to better understand what right way water for Country is at Molesworth and across Waring, figure out how to make decisions the right way together with our partners, and work through the operational challenges of water delivery. It is a huge step forward,” TLaWC Cultural Water Program Manager Voytek Lapinski said.
The Taungurung-led proposal is a result of years of work by Traditional Owner groups, the VEWH and other partners to develop and trial seasonal watering proposal guidelines so Traditional Owners can determine how water for the environment can be used to achieve healing Country objectives. This is one of multiple initiatives that bring the Water is Life: Traditional Owner Access to Water roadmap to life.
“The Taungurung-led watering of Molesworth Billabongs shows what is possible when Traditional Owners take the lead on decisions about water on Country,” VEWH CEO Sarina Loo said.
“This work is helping heal an important wetland, strengthen cultural connections and support the plants and animals that depend on healthy Country. It also reflects the practical progress being made across Victoria to increase Traditional Owner agency and self-determination in environmental water management.”
Page last updated: 28/09/26