The Wurundjeri Woi‑wurrung people have lodged a native title claim in the Federal Court seeking recognition over country covering a 200‑km radius from the Werribee River to Mount Gregory, an area encompassing much of metropolitan Melbourne. If successful, the claim could result in traditional owners gaining greater decision-making authority over Crown land, including parts of the Wombat State Forest that were incorporated into parks without traditional owners’ consent.
The claim, comprising eleven members and descended from more than a dozen ancestors, identifies as belonging to the Wurundjeri, Woi-wurrung, Yarra Yarra, or Yarra Tribes and is based on historical, genealogical, and anthropological evidence that demonstrates a continuous connection to the country dating back to British sovereignty in 1836. Wood Central understands that the filing will now be considered by the National Native Title Tribunal as the parties move toward negotiation with the state government and neighbouring traditional owner groups.
Wurundjeri Woi‑wurrung elder Perry Wandin described the claim as part of an intergenerational effort to have his people’s link to country legally recognised. “Wurundjeri people have fought for decades for recognition and respect and have been at the forefront of protecting culture and country in Melbourne and surrounds,” Elder Perry Wandin told the ABC.
“We want the waterways, the land to be looked after.” He said the push for recognition was part of a broader process of truth‑telling and reclamation. “We’ve had a lot of ups and downs in our country with land being taken,” he said. “Native title is us not taking over … but being able to control Crown land. We want to be traditional owners of Melbourne, of Naarm as we know it.”
“This is a moment of acknowledgement and respect,” Aunty Di Kerr said. “It’s about ensuring our connection to country is recognised in law, as it has always existed in truth.” “From the time of our creation, ancestors through to the present, we have cared for it, been nurtured by it, and spoken for it,” Uncle Andrew Gardiner said. “We are doing this for our ancestors and for our future generations.”
Native title recognises rights founded in the traditions and customs of Indigenous communities. According to SBS’s NITV, the court can confer consultation rights, co-management arrangements, and, in some cases, exclusive possession over particular parcels of Crown land; however, they do not affect private property, operating businesses, or public infrastructure. Several Victorian groups have secured native title determinations in recent years, including the Gunditjmara and Eastern Maar peoples, whilst the First Peoples of the Millewa‑Mallee were recently granted exclusive possession for certain parcels.
The claim is supported by Slater and Gordon Lawyers, with Victoria’s Premier, Jacinta Allan, also offering her support: “This is a positive thing for traditional owner groups to come to their determination that they are ready to take this step,” she said. “It provides for that connection between Country and waters for traditional owners.”
Traditional owners want greater control over fire management in forests
In late 2023, Wood Central reported that a significant number of indigenous groups sought greater involvement in the management of forests before, during, and after major fires. That is according to the RFA Major Event Review from the 2019/20 bushfires – a joint Commonwealth and State review panel which assessed the impact of fires on the Regional Forest Agreements, reviewed by a panel of experts including the Victorian Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability, Dr Gillian Sparkes AM; Dr Tony Bartlett, an independent forestry consultant; and a Victorian Traditional Owner, Katherine Mullett.
“The Black Summer fires had major impacts on Aboriginal people, community, Country and cultural heritage. Many of these impacts are still felt today, years on,” the panel found. “The destruction of Country has taken a significant toll on Aboriginal communities, causing immense grief due to the extent of the damage to forest areas, the loss of and damage to tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and a large number of deaths of wildlife totem animals, in addition to the destruction of/or damage to 42 homes of Aboriginal people.”
Whilst in June 2023, Wood Central revealed that Traditional Owners were not consulted before the Jacinta Allen Government decided to bring forward the date for the cessation of native timber harvesting. In an interview with the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations – the body which represents the shared interests of Traditional Owners across the Country, Wood Central was told (at the time) that “at least one of the member corporations is currently involved in works under a TUP (in the Wombat State Forest), so this (the ban) is a drastic and highly impactful decision on their realisation of healthy Country” – an activity approved by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in 2024.
Please note: Wood Central has reached out to the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations for comment.
