Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty and Member for Wyong David Harris has welcomed a new guide 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.
“The Connecting with Country Framework is critical in re-imaging of how we engage with Country and cultural landscapes,” Harris said.
“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.
“First Nations people’s connection to Country can provide our state with invaluable insight to our design, construction, and architecture.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the new framework would 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,” he 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.”
The Framework aims to reduce the impacts of natural disasters through sustainable land and water use practices; value and respect Aboriginal cultural knowledge by co-leading design and development of projects; and make 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 could 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,” she 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
Source:
NSW Government