Australia is home to one of the oldest living and continuing cultures in the world. This is something to be proud of and celebrate. This award recognises outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander planning projects at all scales undertaken with and/or by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or communities which embrace and integrate Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture and tradition as a foundation of the project.
This award recognises projects and/or initiatives which promote collaboration, understanding, appreciation, awareness and celebrates Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture and tradition and their application to planning and land management.鈥� The award also recognises projects which advance or address the needs and aspirations of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples involved in the project. 鈥疉boriginal and Torres Strait Islander planning may take many forms, but at its core is recognition and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ connection to and responsibilities for managing and Caring for their Country.
This award will recognise that the planning and design process was developed in partnership with and highly informed by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people (local elders, lands councils, local artists, key community organisations, etc). The award will also recognise the involvement of the relevant Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and/or community in the project or policy to ensure its cultural integrity and authenticity.
Meet the nominees:
NSW Nominee: Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport Connecting with Country Project
GHD in partnership with Zion Engagement and Planning, Sydney Metro and the Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport Connecting with Country Working Group.
The production of the ‘Connecting with Ngura’ document, by GHD in partnership with Zion Engagement and Planning is a document capable of being used by consultants and people working on the WSA. Through the establishment of a Connecting with Country Working Group and the capture of First Nations knowledge throughout ‘Connecting with Ngura’ is capable of being shared and applied to achieve sensitive outcomes across various aspects of the broader Western Sydney Airport project.
Embedded with local Aboriginal language to highlight information shared by local Traditional knowledge holders, the document provides a valuable resource for future planning specific to Country.
TAS Nominee: takara limuna
Milangkani Projects & Clarence City Council
The story of Takara limuna is an interpretation incorporated into the Bedlam Walls Reserve, to promote the area’s rich Aboriginal Cultural Heritage. The story is told in multiple formats including recordings of the oral history of the Mumirimina people in palawa kani available through QR codes; the commissioning of five installations each of which reflect elements of country and culture, with artwork commissioned from Aboriginal artists; and consultation with aboriginal cultural advisers in the design and construction of tracks to maximise the impact of individual interpretation sites.
VIC Nominee: Lake Boort Scarred Trees Masterplan
Aspect Studios in collaboration with DJAARA
This project approaches a familiar dilemma of balancing the interests and rights of traditional owners with the growing demand for cultural tourism and its impacts on Country. Through a collaborative research and design process with Traditional owners the Scar trees project is a projects about better connecting all people to Country, and better understand the meaning and value of Country to aboriginal people. The judges were impressed by the focus on self-determination and the balancing of cultural, economic, environmental and design outcomes.
Importantly this project gives voice to the Yung Baluk clan of the DjaDja Wurrung about the importance of the Lake Boort region to their long history connected to the land and their lives.
WA Nominee: East Newman Precinct Structure Plan
Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation, Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation, Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service, Creating Communities and Hames Sharley
The East Newman Precinct Structure Plan is an innovative approach, led by Nyiyaparli and Martu to improve health, wellbeing and educational outcomes of residents living in East Newman through investment into families, amenities and housing.
Co-designed by Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation, Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation and Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service, the plan is designed by the people, for the people – people who have walked this country for 60,000 years.