Action 16: Embed Traditional Owners’ knowledge in the built environment and introduce more Traditional Owner place names in partnership with Traditional Owners

A project initiated and lead by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is translating Wadawurrung Cultural Knowledge and Values into the Wadawurrung Urban Design Guidelines. Wadawurrung Dja (Country) is under considerable pressure with significant development occurring in Djilang (Geelong), Ballaarat (Ballarat), Bellawyn (Bellarine Peninsula) and areas west of the Werribee River. This project aims to enable Traditional Owners to continue their cultural obligations to care for Country that is urbanised while supporting urban design professionals to engage respectfully with Wadawurrung People, Culture and Country to create design outcomes and places are culturally relevant and enriching.

The Corporation’s work includes a framework for how the government, developers and designers engage and partner with it and support it to have greater authority over cultural and economic development initiatives. The project is part of the Geelong City Deal, a collaborative plan by the Commonwealth and Victorian governments to transform Greater Geelong and the Great Ocean Road through the Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan.