Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation is preparing for a new era with the installation of an innovative new wastewater management system by Yarra Valley Water.
The system will allow Wandoon Estate to expand its visitor program at the historic Coranderrk Aboriginal Station, where people learn about Coranderrk’s history and Indigenous land management.
Until now, the site’s ageing septic system has meant only small groups could visit, with limited toilet facilities available.
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder and Coranderrk Wandoon Estate Manager Uncle Dave Wandin said the installation of the new wastewater management system would change that.
“We’d previously been unable to host large groups because we only had a portaloo on site for them to use. Now, with the new wastewater system and public toilets, we can start welcoming bigger groups and holding our visitor program more frequently,” he said.
“We get a lot of interest from schools, universities and community groups in our visitor program, so it’s fantastic to now have the facilities to fully accommodate these requests.
“The new system will also help us expand our commercial kitchen which we will use to prepare Aboriginal food as well as for contemporary cooking purposes. It will also allow us to provide education and training facilities primarily for Aboriginal tertiary students, so they can have culturally appropriate, culturally safe facilities to further their education as they move out into the wider world.
“We are pleased to have this new, cutting-edge technology at Coranderrk. It supports our commitment to sustainable practices using both new knowledge systems and the knowledge systems of our elders and ancestors.
“The initiative Yarra Valley Water has shown in providing the wastewater system for us gives me confidence that there are people and organisations out there that will support the vision of Coranderrk into the future.”
The on-site wastewater management system is one of the first of its kind in Australia. It removes pollutants from the wastewater using biofilms grown on a recycled glass media within the system, before the treated water is irrigated on site.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Natalie Foeng said she was pleased the water corporation could help bring Wandoon Estate’s vision to life.
“We’re delighted to provide this new wastewater management system, which means more people can experience the incredible Coranderrk visitor program,” she said.
“Providing this system to Wandoon Estate highlights our commitment to partnering with Traditional Owners to support them in self-determination and caring for Country. It’s a very exciting project but it is also part of a much broader approach to honouring and healing Country.”
