Acknowledgement
The department acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands, water and sea country and pays respect to Elders past, present, and future leaders. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to place and their rich contribution to society.
We show our respect through thoughtful and collaborative approaches to our work. We seek to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to providing places where Aboriginal peoples and communities are included socially, culturally and economically to self-determine their own futures.
About Regional Aboriginal Water Committees
The NSW government is committed to working in genuine partnership with Aboriginal peoples to deliver cultural, spiritual, social, environmental, and economic benefits through inclusive and respectful water management and access.
In 2023, the department established 12 Regional Aboriginal Water Committees through an expression of interest process. These committees, and the valuable contributions of their members, have helped embed Aboriginal perspectives and outcomes into water planning and management across NSW.
Since their establishment, the structure has been refined to strengthen regional representation. There are now 8 committees operating across three regions:
- Western Region – Macquarie and Castlereagh; Western
- Northern Region – Border Rivers, Gwydir and Namoi; Far North Coast and North Coast; Greater Hunter
- Southern Region – Murray and Murrumbidgee; Lachlan; Greater Sydney and South Coast.
These regions closely reflect our regional water strategy regions.
Role of Regional Aboriginal Water Committees
The Committees are an advisory body to the department, established as part of the commitment to ensure Aboriginal peoples have a strong, informed and respected voice in water planning and management in NSW. Through two-way knowledge sharing and collaboration, the committees provide a platform for Aboriginal people to bring cultural knowledge, community perspectives and lived experience that shape how the department and other agencies engage with and manage water.
The key purpose of the committees is to:
- provide culturally informed advice to department on water planning, policies and projects
- act as a forum where Aboriginal people guide and influence government approaches to water management
- facilitate respectful, place-based engagement that centres around Aboriginal values and priorities
- ensure water discussions are led in a culturally safe and appropriate manner
- recognise and uphold Aboriginal water rights, cultural flows and responsibilities
- strengthen participation by supporting culturally appropriate information, tools and processes.
Since commencement, there have been over 40 meetings held, informed more than 200 actions and built connections with nearly 50 departmental water staff. Over time the committees have evolved their functions and responsibilities to include:
- providing advice and input to key water planning and management matters including:
- Water Sharing Plans and Water Resource Plans
- Water allocation process
- Closing the Gap Inland Water Target
- Aboriginal Water Strategy
- Regional Water Strategies
- Environmental Water use including the Murray Darling Basin and other NSW government water management responsibilities.
- identifying cultural water priorities and local water management issues
- collaborating on water management programs and initiatives including protection of cultural heritage and water dependent cultural significant sites
- reviewing and contributing to the local implementation of water management plans
- advising on engagement processes affecting Aboriginal people and their responsibilities for country
- advocating for the protection of Aboriginal cultural values associated with water
- supporting the integration of Aboriginal knowledge into water management and planning
- enhancing communication between Aboriginal communities and government agencies
- supporting the effective operation of the Committee and their relationships to the department
- informing opportunities for capacity building and training in water related careers.
The department has extended the commitment for the committee operation until 30 June 2026.
Contact us
For more information on the Aboriginal Water Programs contact water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au
Artist acknowledgement: Nathan Peckham
As a proud Tubba-gah man from Dubbo in the Wiradjuri Nation, I respectfully acknowledge all nations which the NSW DPE operates on. I acknowledge this artwork will be viewed off my home country of the Tubba-gah people and therefore ask you accept this artwork as an offering on behalf of my family as a gesture of continuing the legacy of the knowledge of our ancestors.
I would also like to pay respect to all traditional custodians of the country whose ancestral lands we all walk upon. I thank the Elders for their wisdom, courage, and sacrifice and pledge my commitment to preserving their legacy for future generations.
- Nathan Peckham