NSW Government
Natural Resources Access Regulator

Aboriginal Cultural Water Values

Aboriginal cultural and spiritual values of water guide NRAR’s work across NSW.

NRAR is committed to respecting and protecting Aboriginal culture and the spiritual values of water. Aboriginal people are closely connected to waterways. This bond spans thousands of generations. They have deep knowledge, a strong identity and a caring attitude towards Country. 
 
Water is key to culture, community and wellbeing. Protecting water helps protect these connections too.


Phil Duncan
"Water is about life for us. Water is central to how we interact with our cultural landscapes"
- Uncle Phil Duncan, NRAR Board Member


Our enduring priority

Aboriginal cultural water values guide how we regulate water every day as a core part of who we are as an agency.

We aim to show Aboriginal communities and the people of NSW, that water regulation can:

  • support cultural values
  • protect spiritual connections to Country
  • ensure fair water use for all.

We focus this work on three activities:

1. Embedding cultural values in our regulatory work

We are bringing Aboriginal culture and spiritual values into our work. This affects our decisions, our fieldwork and how we interpret the law, including:

  • using the NSW Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) when planning field work
  • considering cultural harm in compliance responses
  • ensuring policies and processes reflect Aboriginal perspectives.

Cutural harm taken seriously

NRAR’s recent prosecution highlighted the cultural harm caused when Green Leaf Australia built unapproved dams within the Clybucca Aboriginal Area, a place of deep significance for the Dunghutti, Gumbaynggirr and Ngambaa peoples. The works damaged nationally significant freshwater wetlands and endangered ecological communities.

By investigating and presenting the cultural impacts alongside the environmental damage, NRAR ensured the court recognised the seriousness of the harm. It was the first time NRAR had Aboriginal cultural harm assessed during the sentencing of a case.


2.  Improving cultural capability across NRAR

To build respect and understanding, NRAR staff take part in cultural learning. This includes:

  • joining important events like NAIDOC Week and Reconciliation Week
  • engaging with resources created by Aboriginal voices, artists and knowledge holders
  • providing AHIMS training for field officers.

More field officers equipped to recognise cultural heritage

 So far, 92 field officers have now completed Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) training.  The training builds officers’ skills in identifying cultural sites and understanding the types of heritage places, objects and landscapes found across NSW. This helps them to better find and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage during field work and compliance activities.


3. Building respectful, safe relationships with communities

Strong relationships are central to good regulation. We connect with Aboriginal communities across the state. We listen to them and we learn about their cultural values related to water. We make space for dialogue and learning because building relationships takes time and it needs real respect.

This leads to better decisions that respect Aboriginal ties to water and Country.

Successful engagement

A regional engagement meeting found that an Aboriginal organisation managing land had a gap in understanding water laws.We worked with them to co-design a “Water Law 101” session, which was then delivered on Country. It created a safe space for learning and discussion. The session helped build trust and led to ongoing work together. This included a visit from several agencies at the same time, so the organisation received clear and coordinated support. 


Galimbang-durinya – our Aboriginal artwork

Carousel items

  1. Galimbang-durinya

    NRAR’s Aboriginal artwork, Galimbang-durinya (change in the weather), was created in consultation with Tubba-Gah/Wiradjuri artist Nathan Peckham (Yurana Creative).

  2. The artwork's meaning

    The artwork shows that wherever we work, we work on Country – always was, always will be Aboriginal land. In the artwork, the Jabiru stands for NRAR because it is watchful and protective. The flowing river shape represents the communities that depend on healthy waterways, and the horseshoe‑shaped marks show these communities gathering by the river. The Jabiru tracks symbolise NRAR’s presence across NSW. The cracked earth is a warning of what can happen when water is poorly managed.

  3. Hear from the artist

    Tubba-Gah/Wiradjuri artist Nathan Peckham (Yurana Creative) speaks about developing the artwork in this video.