Aboriginal engagement and partnerships

We are committed to listening to, learning from, and building stronger partnerships with Traditional Owners in the management of our precious environment and water resources.
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The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation supports Western Australia’s community, economy and environment by managing and regulating the state’s environment and water resources.

We recognise the importance of a partnership approach with First Nations people to protect and manage Western Australia’s environment and water resources. We acknowledge their role, significant cultural knowledge and connection to Country and living waters such as rivers, springs, soaks, jilas, and saltwater. We are committed to listening to, learning from, and building stronger partnerships with Traditional Owners in the management of our precious environment and water resources.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan is a journey and a collaborative partnership with Reconciliation Australia. It provides a framework for us to continuously develop and strengthen our reconciliation commitments and ensure we are genuinely inclusive, supporting and advocating for generational change. Other strategies and government priority reforms and targets that drive our work include our Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy, cultural heritage, Native Title settlements and our long-term strategic workforce and diversity planning.

You can read about some of our initiatives below.

Web banner DWER Reconciliation Action Plan August 2022 to August 2024

Our Reconciliation Action Plan

Our clear plan of action to recognise and incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and cultural knowledge into all parts of our business.

Bring Together Walk Together Aboriginal Partnership Framework

Our pathway to forge, build and maintain strong partnerships for Aboriginal land and water outcomes.

Aboriginal Water and Environment Advisory Group

The Advisory Group ensures that Aboriginal knowledge, values and needs are considered and appropriately addressed in managing and regulating our state’s environment and water resources.

Aboriginal Graduate Program

Our program provides Aboriginal graduates with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience.
Murujuga rock art strategy rock landscape

Supporting Aboriginal cultural heritage

We are taking steps to align with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 to grow our engagement with Aboriginal people and groups.

Kep Katitjin – Gabi Kaadadjan – Waterwise Perth action plan

Our actions to grow waterwise communities in Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) to address climate change.

Murujuga Rock Art

We are committed to the ongoing protection of Murujuga's rock art by working in partnership with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation.
Department staff with weed management team at Tharra

Pilbara Environmental Offsets Fund

We are developing long-term collaborative projects which deliver ecological outcomes and support Traditional Owners to access and care for Country.
Aerial photo of the Exmouth Gulf

Exmouth Gulf Taskforce

The taskforce is partnering with Traditional Owners on the environmental management of the Exmouth Gulf and its surrounds.

State Groundwater Investigation Program

We are working with Traditional Owners to assess the connections between groundwater and the freshwater springs and wetlands on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert.
Vanessa Elliott, Jason Barrow, Jack Collard and Michelle Andrews

Climate Resilient WA Forum

Our forum emphasised the importance of integrating the traditional knowledge of First Nation Australians in climate change discussions.

Green Jobs Plan

Our agency is coordinating the Green Jobs Plan, which has created 190 jobs for the Aboriginal community.

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