Heritage conservation

Conserving cultural heritage

Consistent with our commitment to Reconciliation, we are conscious of protecting cultural heritage, and continually work to respect, promote and care for the cultural values of the lands on which we are working. Through our mutually beneficial partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations, we work with local communities to ensure their rich, cultural heritage is respected and maintained.

For example, in 2021 we worked with the Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation, the Department for Environment and Water, and the Limestone Coast Landscape Board on a prescribed burn to help combat invasive weeds at our Finger Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The prescribed burn project incorporated fire burning practices historically used by members of the Boandik community to manage the invasive Lavatory Creeper vine which had spread over parts of the 100-hectare treatment plant site. Read more about the project here.

We also manage several land holdings significant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Under our custodianship, we work with local communities to care for and manage environmental and heritage projects on these lands. One of our ‘caring for Country’ initiatives is with the Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation at Middle Point, south of Mount Gambier: we have worked to revegetate the area, which is rich in Aboriginal cultural heritage, by planting culturally significant species selected by Boandik Elders. The project has also enabled land management outcomes and employment opportunities for 6 Aboriginal community members and encouraged community control and management of these resources.