The Budj Bim landscape, located in Victoria’s Glenelg Shire, has received funding to attract international tourism.
An $8 million investment from the Victorian Government was announced in April, which will go toward stage one and two of the Budj Bim Master Plan.
The funding will assist the Gunditjmirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Winda Mara Aboriginal Corporation to install interpretive signage, walking trails, picnic shelter areas and associated amenities across the Budj Bim landscape.
The announcement followed a visit by Commonwealth Government representatives, reviewing the landscape for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list, recognising its unique
cultural heritage values.
The master plan identifies works in areas including Lake Condah, the Condah Mission, Mt Eccles, Kurtonitj wetland, the Tyrendarra IPA (Indigenous Protected Area) and Convincing Ground at Allestree.
The multi-million dollar investment, to be spent over the next four years, will further enhance archaeological features across the landscape, such as Lake Condah’s eel traps and stone huts, to direct people to the significant sites. There will be interpretive signage, telling the unique story of the Gunditjmara people and their connection to the land.
Glenelg Shire Mayor Max Oberlander said the funding would ensure the significant story of the Gunditjmara people was “brought to life”.
“This master plan presents a vision to raise the identity of the Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape on a global scale.
“Australia’s growing international tourism market has a huge appetite for indigenous culture, food and story, as we have experienced with recent cruise ship visits.
“This is a world class tourism asset and the master plan will provide for visitors to be immersed in these local Dreamtime stories, showing the places, events and activities of the lands over the
past 30,000 years.”
