Country of the Watharung people

The area that is now the Western Treatment Plant is traditional country of the Watharung people.

Werribee River was a tribal boundary between the East Kulin Wurundjeri and the West Kulin Watharung tribes. The Watharung language was spoken by 25 clans south of the Werribee River with the Mapeang-bulluk clan of the Watharung tribe occupying the hinterland and coastline west of Werribee River.

How do we work with our Aboriginal partners?

Melbourne's rivers and creeks are important to all members of the community, particularly Aboriginal people.

The cultural heritage team at Melbourne Water work with local indigenous groups to include cultural heritage management, values and history in all activities at the Western Treatment Plant.

We also work to identify and preserve culturally and spiritually significant places for past and present Aboriginal communities, including stories and traditions. These continue to be places of spiritual and community activity today, and include:

• sacred sites
• ceremonial sites
• fish traps
• burials
• scarred trees
• camp sites
• settlements