Politics & Council
3 November, 2025
DJAARA’s plan feedback fails to make final cut
THE Bendigo-based Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation has failed in an attempt to increase acknowledgement of indigenous people in Loddon Shire’s new four-year plan.
DJAARA made what has been described as a “substantial submission” during consultation preparing the plan.
The push for greater recognition in the plan comes as State Parliament is expected to pass legislation on a treaty with Aborigines this week. DJAARA has already signalled its push for a local treaty across central Victoria.
The shire told the Loddon Herald this week the submission would not be made public as there was confidentiality for all feedback submissions.
DJAARA did not respond to a request for a copy of the submission. A spokesperson said; “DJAARA (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation) provided a submission to Loddon Shire’s Council plan, seeking alignment with the goals of our Dhelkunya Dja Country Plan and broader strategic framework.
“DJAARA has regular engagement with all councils on Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung Country), water and catchment authorities and Victorian Government departments to implement the Recognition and Settlement Agreement (RSA).
“The RSA includes a local government strategy. One of the local government actions in the strategy is to: Partner with the Corporation to ensure that Dja Dja Wurrung People’s rights, aspirations, and perspectives are incorporated into all Community Visions and Council Plans prepared under the Local Government Act 2020 (Vic), and partner with the Corporation in the preparation of these documents as a key partner and landowner.
“The Local Government Act 2020 requires Councils to engage with Traditional Owners and the Aboriginal community who are formally recognised as a part of the municipal community.”
DJAARA had wanted its own dedicated page “and appropriate images” in the new Loddon community vision and council plan.
Councillors on Tuesday one minor change with a section of the plan now saying “Loddon Shire has a rich Aboriginal and Goldfields history and began with traditional owners who continue to practice culture, including through the joint management of the Kooyoora State Park”.
But inclusion of DJAARA clan maps, and recognition of partnerships in agriculture and tourism were rejected.
The group also wanted “DJAARA and first nation peoples evaluation of and satisfaction levels with council’s commitments – services, programs, engagement” written into the plan.
Councillors adopted the plan with minor changes.