The City of Greater Bendigo, DJAARA and North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) are thrilled to announce the start of works on Yaram Yaram Bayikina, the $7M Bendigo Creek Revitalisation Program.
The program has been funded by the Australian Government and is a significant investment in environmental health and Traditional Owner cultural and community outcomes.
The funding was a 2025 Federal election commitment and will restore sections of Bendigo Creek and its tributaries.
Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the start of works represented an important milestone in transforming Bendigo Creek into a healthier, more resilient and more connected waterway.
"Yaram Yaram Bayikina is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to invest in the long‑term health of our local waterways, while delivering real environmental, cultural and community benefits," Cr Prince said.
The program will deliver environmental restoration, creek renaturalisation, erosion control, water quality improvements and community engagement activities across the catchment, guided by the Reimagining Bendigo Creek Plan.
A key feature of the project is the strong involvement of DJAARA sharing Traditional Owner knowledge to create a creek system that heals Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung Country) and Gatjin (water).
All projects delivered will be informed by an advisory group of Dja Dja Wurrung water knowledge holders, known as the Bendigo Creek Wartaka (which means 'come with purpose' in Dja Dja Wurrung language).
DJAARA Acting CEO Harley Douglas said the project's Traditional Owner name, Yaram Yaram Bayikina, meant 'Bendigo Creek - reawakening it'.
"While this project is very much about reawakening the creek, it's also about reawakening people's relationship with the creek," Mr Douglas said.
"For our mob, people are an integral part of Country and the health of both are intertwined.
We have a cultural obligation to make sure water is healthy for the mob downstream, and to leave healthy Country and healthy water for the next generation.
"Yaram Yaram Bayikina is a significant step towards healing Yaram Yaram (Bendigo Creek) from the devastating impact of gold mining. Restoring Yaram Yaram to health is a deep and long-held desire for Djaara, which will benefit the whole community, and DJAARA is thrilled to be working together with our partners at the City and North Central CMA to deliver this work."
The project also supports citizen science programs, Landcare activities and other engagement initiatives to encourage community care of Bendigo Creek.
North Central CMA CEO Brad Drust said he looked forward to his organisation working in strong partnership with DJAARA and the City to help deliver Yaram Yaram Bayikina on the ground.
"With the support of the Australian Government, our role is focused on bringing the community together through programs such as Landcare, WaterWatch and River Detectives," Mr Drust said.
"Working with local Landcare and friends‑of groups to align community action with the broader vision for Bendigo Creek, while supporting citizen science, cultural education, waterway health monitoring and learning opportunities for local schools and volunteers is central to this approach.
"These partnerships are essential to achieving lasting environmental outcomes and ensuring Bendigo Creek is healthier, valued and cared for by the community now and into the future."
Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said the funding ensured the local community had meaningful input into conserving, protecting and sustainably managing Bendigo Creek.
"This project will put local knowledge and cultural connection front and centre in water management," Ms Chesters said.
"It's great to see the City, Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and the North Central Catchment Management Authority working together to deliver this project, and our government is proud to support this important work."
Minister for Water, the Hon. Murray Watt, said the Australia Government was committed to investing in projects that helped communities connect and care for nature through locally informed, place-based action.
"The $7M program will invest in community citizen science monitoring, support local Landcare groups and deliver community engagement and education programs," he said.
"It will support important environmental work by restoring the area, which will help to protect the native species which call it home."
