Together for the Cudgegong: Caring for River Country Through Aboriginal Land Management

Published 2nd June August 2026. Written by Maddison O’Brien

Watershed Landcare is excited to announce the launch of Together for the Cudgegong, an Aboriginal-led project focused on caring for the riparian areas of the Cudgegong River and its tributaries.

Led by North East Wiradjuri Company (NEWco) in partnership with Watershed Landcare, Mudgee LALC & Bathurst LALC, the project will bring together Aboriginal knowledge holders, landholders and the broader community to improve the health and resilience of River Country through practical on-ground works, cultural knowledge sharing and community engagement.

Together for the Cudgegong builds on a strong and growing partnership between Watershed Landcare and NEWco. Over recent years, we have worked together on a range of projects including cultural burning activities, the Connection by Fire program, Songline Walks, biodiversity monitoring and Aboriginal-led community events. These collaborations have demonstrated the value of combining cultural knowledge, local experience and environmental stewardship to create lasting outcomes for Country and community.

Over the coming year, the project will deliver a range of activities across the catchment, including on-ground Aboriginal Land Management works, community workshops, cultural learning opportunities and environmental monitoring. Community members can also look forward to events such as a Carp Muster and Fish Dreaming event, along with other opportunities to connect with Country and learn from Aboriginal knowledge holders.

Expressions of Interest Now Open

The first stage of the project is now underway, with Expressions of Interest (EOIs) open for landholders who have frontage to the Cudgegong River or one of its tributaries and would like to be considered for on-ground Aboriginal Land Management works.

Through this process, selected landholders may receive support to undertake activities such as:

• Native planting and revegetation
• Seed collection
• Cultural burning (right fire at the right time, led by Aboriginal knowledge holders)
• Habitat improvement
• Biodiversity surveys and trail camera monitoring
• Water quality monitoring
• Cultural site mapping and knowledge sharing

A limited number of sites will be selected, with works tailored to the needs and opportunities of each location.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have a property containing a riparian area along the Cudgegong River or one of its tributaries.
• Have stock excluded from the riparian area, either through fencing or other management arrangements.
• Be open to Aboriginal Land Management activities occurring on the property.
• Be willing to allow reasonable access for project monitoring and reporting purposes by appointment.

EOIs close Friday 12 June 2026.

For more information about the project, the selection process and what to expect if your property is selected, please complete the Expression of Interest form below.