Strengthening Aboriginal Participation in Primary Industries

We are committed to building strong relationships with Aboriginal Victorians. We recognise that Aboriginal communities are key stakeholders for the department.

Victoria's Traditional Owners have unique cultural and economic interests in primary industries. Native Title holders, Traditional Owners and Registered Aboriginal Parties are involved in the planning and approvals processes of industries regulated by us.

Aboriginal people are landholders, fishers, game hunters, pet owners, primary industry business owners and employers and employees in primary industries businesses. Like all Victorians, Aboriginal people rely on access to essential energy services.

We have developed an Aboriginal Action Plan for the purpose of improving opportunities for Aboriginal participation in Victoria's primary industries and departmental activities.

Our plan aims to ensure that we:

• recognise Aboriginal cultural and customary interests including customary fishing, Traditional Owner and Native Title rights in resource management, and cultural heritage
• improve opportunities for Aboriginal businesses to develop and grow
• improve Aboriginal access to training and employment opportunities in primary industries and at DPI.

Aboriginal Partnership Action Plan 2013

Improving opportunities for Aboriginal participation in primary industries

Outcome area 1: Recognition of cultural and customary interests in primary industries

The following activities will contribute to this outcome area:

1. Provide opportunities for staff to acknowledge Aboriginal culture
2. Communicate our role to Aboriginal communities
3. Develop and communicate appropriate and consistent Aboriginal engagement processes for adoption by our staff and stakeholders
4. Develop Natural Resource Agreements with Traditional Owner entities
5. Work with Traditional Owner Groups to integrate Aboriginal culture and ecological knowledge into Fisheries Victoria's education programs
6. Work towards attaining one per cent Aboriginal representation on DPI-administered boards and committees

Outcome area 2: Improved opportunities for Aboriginal businesses to develop and grow

7. In consistency with the objectives of the Victorian Aboriginal Fishing Strategy, facilitate economic opportunities in commercial fisheries
8. Work with Aboriginal landholders to assist them to improve production on their land through best practice agricultural production and contemporary land management
9. Use procurement to facilitate Aboriginal business growth

Outcome area 3: Improved Aboriginal access to training and employment opportunities in primary industries and DPI

10. Support Aboriginal staff in their professional development
11. Implement an Aboriginal work skills employment program in Fisheries Victoria
12. Contribute to raising awareness among Aboriginal secondary and tertiary students of careers and career pathways in primary industries
13. Work with the timber industry, Aboriginal communities and other stakeholders to improve Aboriginal access to training and employment in Victoria's timber industry.

More information

For further information, email aboriginal.engagement@dpi.vic.gov.au