Cultural Watering Plans

The aim of this project was to co-develop Cultural Watering Plans in partnership with Aboriginal communities to outline how they want to use their water rights to support cultural outcomes. This work supported Department of Planning and Environment with the delivery of the actions in the State Water Strategy.

The objectives included identifying opportunities to support the effective use of specific purpose access licence (Aboriginal Cultural subcategory) and increasing access to water for Aboriginal people to fulfil their cultural obligations to manage water in a holistic, spiritual and sustainable way. Through education and partnership, the project aimed to increase Aboriginal water stakeholders’ understanding of the statutory and policy framework for water management in NSW through the development of the cultural watering plan. It also aims to provide information to make it easier to navigate water licencing frameworks.