Traditional owners are slamming what they say is an unprecedented show of disrespect in a government green light to change official country borders.
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Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation chairman Patrick Fagan said there was no proper consultation nor negotiations with neighbouring traditional owner groups for a border variation with Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation.
Eastern Marr oversees country to the west of land overseen by Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation, which trades as Wadawaurrung, extending through Ararat.
Mr Fagan said Wadawurrung traditional owners were frustrated with Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council's decision to approve an Eastern Marr extension, despite strong objections from Wadawurrung people ahead of the council's February meeting.
He said the council had previously sought traditional owner groups work on such issues together or via he Aboriginal Victoria's Right People for Country program.
No reasoning had been given on the decision.
The Ballarat Courier is seeking clarification from the state's Aboriginal Affairs Department.
Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation is a registered Aboriginal party responsible for maintaining, protecting and promoting cultural heritage across Wadawurrung country.
This is completely separate from Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative, which delivers health, social, welfare and community development programs to all Aboriginal people living in the region.
The corporation received a $150,000 state government grant on Monday to update its unassuming base at the top of Mair Street, near Coles.
This tired space is where traditional owners consult in billions of dollars of infrastructure development across the region.
This funding boost will allow the organisation to create more private meeting spaces and freshen-up interiors.
Wauthaurung Aboriginal Corporation chief executive officer Paul Davis said this would help better promote the region's traditional owners without having to dip into the organisation's limited funds.
"It's a little bit tired here. We're dealing with a lot of development issues, of many billions of dollars in fact and the space we do that in here is pretty shabby," Mr Davis said. "We think we ought to have professional workplace to present to our various stakeholders and members."
Wendouree MP Juliana Addison said it was important traditional owners have an appropriate, fit-for-purpose place to meet in Ballarat, particularly to better promote and support self-determination. Ms Addison said this was all part of moving towards reconciliation through recognition and greater respect.
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