First Nations groups in the Murray-Darling Basin are set to see their Cultural flows vision come to life through the Albanese Government's $20 million Cultural Flows Planning for Cultural Economies grant program.
More than 50 First Nations projects across the Basin have secured funding towards developing Cultural Flows plans, enhancing governance structures and developing water-dependent business plans.
The work undertaken through the projects will lay the groundwork for advocating for First Nations water rights and opportunities to access, manage and own water for Cultural, environmental, social, spiritual, and economic purposes - including preparing to own water through the Albanese Government's $100 million Murray-Darling Basin Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program.
Applications were assessed by an assessment committee including First Nations People with extensive Basin water knowledge and expertise, and an independent chair.
Successful applicants have up to two years to complete their projects.
To learn more about the funded projects visit the DCCEEW Cultural Flows Planning for Cultural Economies program webpage.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt:
"The Albanese Government remains committed to proactively reversing the decades of dispossession to ancestral waterways that our First Nations communities have experienced.
"Through this program, we're able to support First Nations communities with the right support to access, own and manage water entitlements that will have Cultural, environmental, social, spiritual, and economic benefits.
"We're also continuing to deliver a record amount of funding to secure water entitlements for Murray−Darling Basin First Nations communities through the Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program, with more than $60 million in water entitlements secured to date.
"I thank all applicants for putting their hands up to get involved in this program, as well of the ongoing guidance of our First Nations communities as we work to secure their rightful place at the table of all water management conversations."
Quotes attributable to Interim Chair of the Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Water Interests, Kay Blades:
"This grant program funds Murray-Darling Basin First Nations to plan for Cultural Flows.
"It supports ownership and management of water for cultural, spiritual, social, environmental and economic outcomes.
"Basin First Nations will be better positioned to take a stronger role in the ownership and management of water."
