Complying with the Dja Dja Wurrung Land Use Activity Agreement (LUAA)
If you are developing or conducting maintenance works on public land you may need to comply with the Dja Dja Wurrung Land Use Activity Agreement (LUAA).
What is the LUAA?
The Dja Dja Wurrung Land Use Activity Agreement (LUAA) is a legal agreement between the Victorian Government and the Dja Dja Wurrung people, the Traditional Owners of a large area of Central Victoria. It sets out how public land (Crown land) in this area can be used or developed, ensuring that Traditional Owner rights are respected and protected.
The LUAA is part of a broader Recognition and Settlement Agreement (RSA), which came into effect in 2013. Through this agreement, the state formally recognised the Dja Dja Wurrung people as traditional owners and committed to working in partnership with them.
Who is responsible?
- Decision makers: Usually government departments, Councils or land managers. They must ensure LUAA compliance before approving or starting any activity on public land.
- Responsible Persons: The authority/party who is responsible for complying with the LUAA and cover related costs. Where there is a proponent undertaking the works, ensuring the proponent is complying with the LUAA and cover related costs.
- Proponent: A proponent is a third party who is seeking to undertake works e.g. (developers, community groups or mining companies) who must conduct negotiations and cover related costs.
When do you need to consider the LUAA?
If you’re planning an activity on public land within Dja Dja Wurrung Country, you may need to follow LUAA processes. This requires the land manager/management authority to notify DJAARA (the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation). Some activities are exempt under the LUAA.
For activities that are not exempt, the level of involvement required depends on the type of activity:
- Routine activities (e.g. mowing, fence repairs): No need to notify DJAARA.
- Advisory activities (e.g. building picnic areas): You must consult DJAARA and consider their input.
- Negotiation activities (e.g. major developments): You must negotiate with DJAARA and may need to provide community benefits.
- Agreement activities (e.g. selling Crown land): You must get DJAARA’s consent before proceeding.
It can be difficult to understand why/how an activity is catagorised. The following document provides some guidance on activities being undertaken on crown land.
Download the Guidance for Developer and Proponents – Examples(PDF, 2MB).
The LUAA process
The following webpages from the First Peoples-State Relations and DJAARA provide guidance on the LUAA process.
Mount Alexander Shire Council has also developed information sheets to provide guidance on to developers and proponents on the process for Advisory and Negotiation activities and the notification process and negotiation requirements with DJAARA.
More information
If you require further information, please call us on 03 5471 1700 or email info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au. Include in your email if these works are related to a development and/or a Works Within Road Reserve permit application.