A new guide has been released by the NSW Government to help better recognise Indigenous culture in planning and design.

The NSW Government Architect’s Connecting with Country Framework aims to empower Aboriginal voices and provide guidance to government, planners, designers and industry on how to respond to Country through the planning, designing and delivery of projects.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the new framework will give Aboriginal communities greater involvement when deciding on planning projects which impact Indigenous culture and interests.

“What better time to introduce this important new planning and design guide than during NAIDOC Week - a time when we celebrate and recognise the rich history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Mr Scully said.

“Introducing this Framework will enable the NSW Government to better protect Country, community, and sacred sites in the planning and design of our places and buildings.

“Archaeological investigations and recording of Aboriginal heritage have been a well-established part of the planning process. This new framework builds on those practices by valuing, respecting and being guided by Aboriginal people, who know if we care for Country it will care for us.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris agrees with Mr Scully, the Framework will bring together state-wide planning with Indigenous connection to country.

“The Connecting with Country Framework is critical in reimaging of how we engage with Country and Cultural Landscapes. It enables Aboriginal people’s values, knowledge systems and mechanisms for connecting to country to influence the design and planning processes for building and architecture,” said Mr Harris.

“First Nations people’s connection to country can provide our state with invaluable insight to our design, construction, and architecture.”

The Framework aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Country by realising three long-term strategic goals including:

• Reducing the impacts of natural disasters through sustainable land and water use practices 
• Valuing and respecting Aboriginal cultural knowledge by co-leading design and development of projects
• Making sure sensitive Aboriginal sites are always protected with ongoing access for Aboriginal peoples to their homelands.

The Draft Framework has been in effect since 2020 with feedback from the pilot included in the final design.

NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin said First Nations communities can lead the way in transforming the design process to promote sustainability, resilience and community health.  

“First Nations peoples around the world have long understood the importance of living in balance with the natural world, developing traditional practices and knowledge to support that way of life,” Ms Galvin said.

“In a time of rapidly increasing development, the Connecting with Country Framework demonstrates how to work with Aboriginal communities to guide that development to be more sustainable, resilient and culturally responsive.”

For more information on the framework visit https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/about-us/our-work/supporting-aboriginal-people-planning.