Bridging Now to Next: WaterNSW’s reconciliation journey

Bridging Now to Next

First Nations peoples have been stewards of water resources for thousands of years, with deep links that hold cultural and spiritual significance.

WaterNSW is proud to share custodianship of land and waterways, and recognises the important opportunity we have to improve outcomes for First Nations peoples.

We’ve been engaging with First Nations communities to develop strong and trusting relationships, extending from Reconciliation Week to NAIDOC, to the modern-day corroboree of the Koori Knockout on Wiradjuri Country and support for the annual memorial of the Appin Massacre.

In early June, WaterNSW gathered on the lands of the Burramattagal People of the Darug Nation to celebrate National Reconciliation Week 2025, joined online by colleagues from First Nations lands across the state.

In ‘Bridging Now to Next’ we reflected together on WaterNSW’s reconciliation journey and the strides we’ve made to move forward together.

At our National Reconciliation Week event, we were joined by Danny Lester, Executive Director - Aboriginal Strategy, Policy and Engagement at the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).

Danny, a proud Wonnarua man, challenged us all to make First Nations outcomes something that we think about from the onset, posing the question: what does meaningful Aboriginal outcomes mean to you?

“For me, it requires Monday morning thinking. Not a Friday afternoon after thought. For me, it’s about the opportunity we have right in front of us", Danny Lester, said.

WaterNSW's Reconciliation Week Event 2025

WaterNSW's National Reconciliation Week event was held on the lands of the Burramattagal People of the Darug Nation.

Andrew George - CEO WaterNSW and Danny Lester - Executive Director Aboriginal Strategy, Policy and Engagement at the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).

Danny talked about Aboriginal representation in leadership positions and how when this is embedded in core functions, it allows Aboriginal voices to become part of the norm, improving business accountability and reporting to drive real action. Through this, First Nations outcomes move from being an optional extra, to becoming part of the DNA of an organisation.

Danny concluded the discussion with some parting words of advice for our organisation:

“Let us walk this path together, acknowledging the past, embracing the present and shaping a future where water management reflects the wisdom, values, connection, and voices – with and for – Aboriginal peoples, communities and entities."

Students from Tamworth high school taking part in a range of environmental activities including identifying different types of aquatic life sampled from the Peel River.

WaterNSW Cultural Heritage Field Advisor Kaleila Thornton demonstrates making seed bombs to help regenerate native vegetation.

WaterNSW’s reconciliation journey

While the business of reconciliation is something we act on every day, not one week a year, we’re grateful for the opportunity to come together to consider what transformational changes we can make, to deliver positive and lasting outcomes.

Over the past 12 months, we’ve worked with more than 50 First Nations groups on projects, from developing skills to care for the Peel River in Tamworth, to updating our procurement processes to support Aboriginal owned businesses.

We have also engaged three Aboriginal archaeological firms to help us complete 150 cultural heritage surveys at our sites as part of our essential project and construction works, while making great progress towards our goal of 5% Aboriginal workforce participation – currently at 3.77%.

We recognise the principles of First Nations connection to water and how this caretaking can inform more ethical practices for how we manage land and water, and our co-design principles allow us to meld traditional knowledge with modern science to develop water management plans that improve outcomes for all.

Reconciliation is a shared journey. We can learn from mistakes to continue our efforts and move forward from the here and now, into the future.

Published date: 19 June 2025

WaterNSW acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and waters on which we work and pay our respects to all elders past, present and emerging. Learn more