Why is this a focus area?

Yarra Ranges is located within Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung, Taungurung and Bunurong Country. The forests, rivers, skies and landscapes here are important to Traditional Owners and are part of their stories, identity and ongoing connection to Country.

Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing remind us that caring for Country includes land, water, culture, language, ceremony and the values of Respect, Caring and Sharing.

The 2015 Strategy Evaluation recommended collaborating with Traditional Owners to use cultural knowledge systems in guiding how we care for Country.

What has the community said so far?

People want to learn more about Country, culture and how to care for the environment in the right way. Many want to work alongside Traditional Owners and be more connected to nature and local stories.

The community also understands how important it is to respect cultural heritage, support cultural practices and protect places that have cultural significance.

What has Council been doing in this space?

In 2024–25, Council partnered with Traditional Owners on projects that support culture and caring for Country, including:

• Continuing cultural fire practices on Council land, with a second Firesticks burn completed and planning underway for four more sites.

• Delivering the Ngurrak Barring 39km art and cultural trail, sharing stories and cultural knowledge across the region.

• Supporting water tank artworks by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, celebrating culture and connection to Country.