Cultural landscape protection at Lake Victoria, a managed water supply

Lake Victoria is a freshwater lake in south western New South Wales, Australia which holds water from the Murray River. It is owned by the South Australian government to ensure downstream supply of water to South Australia. The pastoral landscape is arid and comprises the Lake, 32 km in circumference, and the surrounding dune systems. The dunes contain many Aboriginal burials and artefacts especially on the eastern side of the Lake. Changing legislative requirements for protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage led to the introduction of new management approaches at Lake Victoria. These included: preparation of a cultural landscape plan of management, a revised Lake operating strategy and the creation of an overseeing advisory committee with a majority of Aboriginal members. Over two decades, this commitment to cultural landscape management has been successful in conserving the place’s cultural heritage values. The steps undertaken, the outcomes and challenges ahead are discussed.