The Treaty Authority gives notice under clause 10.2(d)(ii) of the Treaty Negotiation Framework that:
Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, acting on behalf of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Peoples of the Wotjobaluk Nations, has notified the Treaty Authority of their intention to form a Delegation for a Treaty in respect of certain land and waters described in this notice; and
the process of self-determined collective agreement-making to form a Delegation outlined in clause 10.3 of the Treaty Negotiation Framework will begin no earlier than 25 June 2026.
Date: 25 May 2026
There can only be one Traditional Owner Treaty for any particular area of land and waters, which is negotiated by a single Treaty Delegation (clause 10.1, Treaty Negotiation Framework). A Delegation will be made up of the Traditional Owner Groups that have been entered onto the Treaty Authority’s Negotiations Register for any of that Country.
To begin formation of a Delegation, a Traditional Owner Group on the Negotiations Register must notify the Treaty Authority of its intention to form a Delegation and must identify the Country over which it intends to negotiate a Treaty (clause 10.2(a), Treaty Negotiation Framework).
BGLC was entered onto the Negotiations Register on 11 February 2025. The relevant Negotiations Register entry may be accessed here: Treaty Authority.
LAND AND WATERS OVER WHICH A DELEGATION MAY BE FORMED
BGLC has notified the Treaty Authority of its intention to form a Delegation for a Treaty in respect of the following land and waters:
Our Country spans undulating grassy plains, sand-hill landscapes, rivers and wetlands, with woodlands, heathlands and extensive wetland systems at its heart. Barringgi Gadyin rises in the Pyrenees Range and flows across the Wimmera Plains to Gurru (Lake Hindmarsh), its banks marked by Bial (River Red Gums), Black Box, scar trees and middens reflecting our enduring connection to this waterway. When in flood, Gurru feeds Ngalpakatia/Ngelpagutya (Lake Albacutya) via Outlet Creek; together these lakes are significant areas where native title has been recognised for the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Peoples of the Wotjobaluk Nations. Across the region, Country is protected through major parks and reserves and holds more than 2,000 sites of cultural significance linked to waterways, floodplains and wetlands.
COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT TO FORM A DELEGATION
On or after 25 June 2026 BGLC must confirm with the Treaty Authority the land and waters over which the Delegation will negotiate a Treaty. Once that confirmation is received, all Traditional Owner Groups on the Negotiations Register for any of the confirmed area of land and waters must begin the process to reach collective agreement to form a Delegation (clause 10.3, Treaty Negotiation Framework).
Collective agreement-making is a self-determined process in which all relevant Traditional Owner Groups will determine certain key matters relating to the Delegation. This includes the subject matter of Treaty negotiations, leadership arrangements and inclusivity arrangements. The Treaty Authority will provide support and guidance to Traditional Owner Groups through that process.
CONTACT US
The Treaty Authority encourages First Peoples whose Country includes some or all of the land and waters described in this notice to contact the Treaty Authority for information about the Treaty process.
If you have questions about this notice, please contact the Treaty Authority on 1300 133 033 or email us at [email protected].
