Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut is an initiative to connect the community to the Lower Moorabool and Lower Barwon River corridor by balancing public access, recreation, economic opportunities and education while enhancing the area’s unique cultural and environmental values.
The project encompasses an extensive corridor of river frontage on Wadawurrung Country, including the internationally recognised Lake Connewarre wetlands and the spectacular Barwon River estuary. Kitjarra- dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut is the Wadawurrung name for the project previously known as the Barwon River Parklands and translates to “places of many stories”.
Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut is one of the actions supported by the Rivers of the Barwon (Barre Warre Yulluk) Action Plan.
That Kitjarra-dja-bul bullarto langi-ut is a well – connected, diverse and healthy waterway landscape, that balances recreation, conservation, respect of place and culture, as well as provides for everyday enjoyment of nature, community, liveability and wellbeing.
The project name Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut was assigned by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners translating to “places of many stories”. Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut is phonetically pronounced as: Kit-jarra-ja-bull Bull-arr-toe langee-oot
The logo was developed by Wadawurrung artist Chloe Chatterton through a process run by the Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation. In Chloe’s words “The Barwon and Moorabool Rivers were used as ‘highways’ and gathering places for our Old People to tell our Stories. My art shows how the rivers were used to connect our People, tell our stories and how the rivers cared for our Dja. The two hands represent the healing of our Country.”
The final Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut masterplan was formally released by Christine Couzens, State MP for Geelong on behalf of the Minister for Water, the Hon. Harriet Shing at the Moorabool River Reserve, Batesford on 14 February 2024.
The masterplan has been in development for two years involving engagement with a large range of stakeholders including State and Local Government Agencies, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, community groups and the general community.
Community input was provided via a survey in September 2022 and comments on the draft masterplan during August 2023 plus many informal discussions with community groups and individuals. The masterplan includes a 10-year program of environmental and infrastructure works including re-vegetation, weed control, water flow and quality improvements, shared cycle and walking trails, boating facilities, new proposed public open space and new public land managed by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners to promote Aboriginal traditional land and water management practices.
We are now focussed on masterplan implementation including securing funding for the many priority projects in the plan.
The final masterplan can be downloaded from the links below:
The project is a partnership between a number of state government agencies, local government and a Registered Aboriginal Party, all with a shared interest in improving the amenity of the river corridor. The project governance structure consists of a Strategic Advisory Committee providing high level guidance for the project and a Working Group to deliver the project actions with administration and project management provided by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority.
The video below was developed to showcase the variety of environmental, recreational and cultural features of this important river corridor.
The Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut project is an extension of the previous Barwon River Parklands project which began around 2010. A masterplan developed in 2011 provided the project priorities for the river corridor.
The maps below show the completed projects over the period of masterplan implementation between 2010 and 2020.
As discussed above, a new masterplan is currently being developed to guide the next phase of on-ground works and projects.
The project has strong linkages to the following plans and projects:
The Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut Masterplan update (mailchi.mp)
Update from the Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut team (mailchi.mp)
Update from the Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut team (mailchi.mp)
The Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut masterplan community survey (mailchi.mp)
Survey is now LIVE for the Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut masterplan (mailchi.mp)
64 Dennis Street, Colac VIC 3250
PO Box 159, Colac, VIC 3250
Hours: 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
T: 1800 002 262
E: info@ccma.vic.gov.au
BARWON WATER OFFICES
Hours: 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
All mail must be sent via our Colac office
PO Box 159, Colac, VIC 3250
T: 1800 002 262
E: info@ccma.vic.gov.au
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