The Treaty Authority gives notice, under clause 9.4(a) of the Treaty Negotiation Framework, that it has entered the following Traditional Owner Group onto the Negotiations Database (known as the Negotiations Register) for the purposes of Traditional Owner Treaty negotiations with the State of Victoria:
| Traditional Owner Group | Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC on behalf of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Peoples of the Wotjobaluk Nations. |
| Country | 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. |
Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC on behalf of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Peoples of the Wotjobaluk Nations was entered onto the Negotiations Register on 11 February 2026. The relevant Negotiations Database entry may be accessed here.
Date: 11 February 2026
HOW TRADITIONAL OWNER GROUPS ARE ENTERED ONTO THE NEGOTIATIONS REGISTER
Entry onto the Negotiations Register is the first step for Traditional Owner Groups seeking to commence negotiations for a Traditional Owner Treaty with the State of Victoria.
The Treaty Negotiation Framework outlines the process for Traditional Owner Groups to be entered onto the Negotiations Register.
To be entered onto the Negotiations Register, a Traditional Owner Group must (clauses 8.1 and 9.1, Treaty Negotiation Framework):
- satisfy the Minimum Standards set out in clause 8.3 of the Treaty Negotiation Framework; and
- record a decision of that Group to enter into Treaty negotiations; and
- provide a notification to the Treaty Authority confirming these and other matters.
The Minimum Standards are certain threshold requirements a Traditional Owner Group must meet to enter into Treaty negotiations. The Minimum Standards relate to:
- Land and Waters
- Community
- Leadership
- Inclusivity.
Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC on behalf of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Peoples of the Wotjobaluk Nations automatically satisfies the Minimum Standards, because they have ‘Existing Status’ under the Treaty Negotiation Framework (clause 8.4(a), Treaty Negotiation Framework). Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC on behalf of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Peoples of the Wotjobaluk Nations has ‘Existing Status’ as
- a registered Aboriginal party, within the meaning of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic) (clause 8.2(c), Treaty Negotiation Framework).
On 13 January 2026, Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC on behalf of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Peoples of the Wotjobaluk Nations notified the Treaty Authority that they have satisfied the Minimum Standards and other relevant matters.
COMMENCING NEGOTIATIONS
There can only be one Traditional Owner Treaty that covers any particular part of the State.
Once a Traditional Owner Group is entered onto the Negotiations Register, it may begin the process of forming a First Peoples’ Treaty Delegation to collectively negotiate a Treaty in respect of an area of land and waters (clause 10.1, Treaty Negotiation Framework).
Forming a Delegation is a process of self-determined collective agreement between all Traditional Owner Groups entered onto the Negotiations Register in respect of the relevant Country (clause 10.3, Treaty Negotiation Framework).
Once a Delegation has been formed and entered onto the Negotiations Register, that Delegation is ready to commence negotiations with the State of Victoria.
The Treaty Authority will issue further notices when the Delegation formation process has begun.
CONTACT US
If you have questions about this notice, please contact the Treaty Authority on 1300 133 033 or email us at [email protected]