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Gunaikurnai Land & Waters Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

Category: Organisation
Date: 15 May 2008
Sub Category:Aboriginal Corporation | Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) | Registered Aboriginal Party (Vic)
Place:

Gipsland

State/Country:Victoria, Australia


Legal Status:

Registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations on 26 October 2010

Legal Reference: ICN (Indigenous Corporation Number): 4768
Subject Matter:Cultural Heritage | Native Title
URL: https://gunaikurnai.org/
Summary Information:

Native Title

The Gunaikurnai Land & Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) is the registered native title body corporate nominated by the Gunai/Kurnai People as trustee of their native title rights and interests as determined by consent in Mullett on behalf of the Gunai/Kurnai People v State of Victoria [2010] [FCA] 1144 (22 October 2010).

The Gunai/Kurnai People are the Traditional Owners of an area in Gippsland that covers 10% of Victoria.

Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) status in Victoria

On 23 May 2008 the GLaWAC was appointed by the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council as a Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic).

Detailed Information:

The GLaWAC aims to further the aspirations of the Gurnai/Kurnai People through the implementation of the native title settlement agreements and the provision of policy advice. It develops and leads key initiatives that improve the capacity, integrity, and independence of the Gunaikurnai People in relation to:

  • native title;
  • cultural heritage;
  • land;
  • water;
  • natural resource management; and
  • employment issues and aspirations.

(Gunaikurnai Land & Waters Aboriginal Corporation website, accessed 27 April 2022)

Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) status in Victoria

On 23 May 2008 the GLaWAC was appointed by the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council as a Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic).

On 18 September 2008, 2 December 2010, 10 March 2011, and 24 May 2012 the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council approved requests to expand the boundary area. See the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council for a detailed decision history.

Land Covered by extended boundaries

The land contained within the RAP boundaries extends over much of Gippsland in Victoria's east coast and into the Alpine region. The area is located along the coast from Nooramung Marine and Coastal Park (just north of Wilson's Promontory) and extends northeast along the entirety of Ninety Mile Beach and towards Marlo. The area extends inland, towards Warragul in the south, and extends north towards Mount Buller, incorporating Baw Baw National Park and part of the Alpine National Park as the boundary extends East towards Mount Hotham and Omeo.

Activities as a RAP

GLaWAC provides joint management of 10 parks and reserves within eastern Victoria. It also provides cultural services including Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremonies, and Cultural Education Sessions.

In the aftermath of the 2019-20 bushfires, GLaWAC, in association with the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DEWLP) established the Gunaikurnai Bushfire Recovery Crew, acknowledging that the impacts of fire on traditional cultural values of ecosystems and biodiversity is best assessed and managed by the Traditional Owners of Country affected by bushfire.

The crew works across the fire footprint, to monitor the impacts of bushfire and assist in the recovery of species that are culturally and environmentally significant.

GLaWAC also provides general natural resource management services to support community groups and landholders to help enhance the environment and support healthy Country, including revegetation projects, biodiversity monitoring, weed control, and landscaping.


Related Entries

  • Gunaikurnai Settlement Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) - Signatory
  • Gunai / Kurnai & Stan Wassylko Indigneous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) - Signatory
  • GunaiKurnai and Mt Hotham Alpine Resort Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) - Signatory
  • Gunaikurnai and Icon Energy Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) - Signatory
  • Hazelwood, Crown Allotment 2037 Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) - Signatory
  • Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, Peter D Howson and Thomas A Howson and State of Victoria Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) - Signatory
  • Mullett on behalf of the Gunai/Kurnai People v State of Victoria [2010] FCA 1144 (22 October 2010)
  • Organisation
  • Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council
  • Legislation
  • Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic)
  • People
  • Gunai/Kurnai People

  • Documents

    Document
    GLaWAC Map of Registered Aboriginal Party Boundaries - ( PDF)

    Glossary

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Australia) | Body Corporate Agreement (Australia)

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