Connecting with Country

Role

The Government Architect NSW (GANSW) Connecting with Country Framework (PDF, 6.4 MB) provides guidance on how to respond to Country when planning, designing and delivering built environment projects. It links NSW policy with the process of designing and planning. The framework does not introduce new planning requirements.

The framework provides guidance on all phases of a project, including:

• Form (“Starting with Country”)
• Design (“Imagining with Country”)
• Deliver (“Shaping Country”)
• Maintain (“Caring for Country”) 

Using the framework can help clients and project teams work together with Aboriginal communities to deliver positive outcomes for Country; Healthy Country, Healthy community, Protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage, Cultural competency and Better Places. It can also help to meet legislated requirements for engagement where these exist.

Relationship to the NSW planning system and other requirements

The framework sits within a broader international and national context. In the NSW context, it provides guidance to address the legislative requirements of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, specifically to promote:

• the sustainable management of built and cultural heritage (including Aboriginal cultural heritage) 
• good design and amenity of the built environment.

You may also have seen the framework referenced in other NSW legislation, policies and guidelines, including requirements to engage with Aboriginal communities:

• Planning Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements
• study requirements for State rezonings 
• local environmental plans
• the NSW State Design Review Panel – Terms of Reference and Guidelines for Project Teams
• conditions of approval or consent for a project
• Heritage NSW processes, including:
  • Aboriginal site heritage report 
  • Aboriginal archaeological report
  • Aboriginal community consultation
  • cultural values assessment report
  • Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment report
• Due Diligence Code of Practice for the protection of Aboriginal Objects in NSW. 

More information

• Framework section 1.3 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - ‘Who the framework is for’
• Framework section 1.5 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - for the context of the framework
• 2021 National Standard of Competency for Architects to which the framework aligns
• Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Accreditation Policy (PDF, 228 KB) supported by the framework.

There are two main approaches that you can take when responding to Country in projects. There are different terms associated with each:

1. When responding to Country without the involvement of the Aboriginal community you take a Country-centred approach.
2. When responding to Country in collaboration with Aboriginal community, you can take a ‘designing with Country’ approach.

What is a Country-centred approach?

A Country-centred approach is a complex idea that is explained in more detail in section 3 of the framework (PDF, 6.4 MB). In a Country-centred approach all living and non-living elements are a network of integrated relationships. Whereas a human-centred approach prioritises people over nature which diminishes nature’s significance. 

A Country-centred approach can lead to a more sustainable future and better outcomes for our built and natural environments. 

What is a ‘designing with Country’ approach?

When ‘designing with Country’, ‘connecting with Country’ or ‘caring for Country’, you must collaborate with and be guided by the community. These cultural terms are explained more in the framework and referenced below. 

When responding to Country there are different pathways you can take

Whether or not there is direct engagement with community, it is possible for all project teams to support healthy Country by starting with a Country-centred approach to design. You can use the framework to guide this approach.

The diagram Responding to Country across a project timeline (PDF, 444 KB) describes the 3 most typical pathways in more detail.

Example projects

Refer to Example: Different approaches when responding to Country (PDF, 4 MB).

More information

• Framework section 3.2 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - the commitment to a Country-centred approach
• Framework section 3.3 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - practices for enabling a new approach
• ‘Introducing the Connecting to Country framework’ webinar – watch from 23:20 minutes to learn about tools for transitioning from human to Country-centred.

Engagement required by legislation

You should always start your project by checking if there are legislated requirements to engage with the Aboriginal community. The FAQ “What is the framework’s role and its place in the planning system?” is a good place to start.

For large and significant projects, clients should ask the Aboriginal community if they want to be engaged, even where this is not required by legislation.

Work with the local community to establish the significance of a project, this will help determine the level of their involvement. In agreement with the community, prioritise projects where their input can have the greatest impact. For projects that are not significant to the community further engagement may not be necessary.

While all projects can benefit from engaging with community and cultural advisers, it’s not always practical or necessary. There are many projects that do not typically require community involvement, such as small residential development and other low impact building projects.

Engage early

Engage with local communities at the start of a project. Meaningful relationships with Aboriginal communities are essential to designing with Country. Building relationships with Aboriginal people requires appropriate allocation of time and resources.  

More information

• Framework section 3.1 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - guidance from Aboriginal community.  

If you need to engage, be inclusive

Engagement should be open and inclusive, and project teams should meet with diverse groups of people with varying points of view. This includes:

• Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs), 
• Aboriginal organisations, 
• Traditional custodians, 
• people from surrounding communities, 
• those who have moved to the area since colonisation and are integrated into the community, 
• everyone else who wants a say.

Aboriginal advisory panels and reference groups

In many cases advisory panels and reference groups have been established so Aboriginal communities can more easily collaborate with authorities like local councils or government agencies. This helps to prioritise which projects would benefit most from the community’s involvement. 

Some examples of advisory panels and reference groups we are aware of are listed below – if you have heard of any others, please let us know using the email in the feedback section at the end of this webpage:

Advisory panels and reference groups - Tweed Shire Council Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Blacktown City Council Dharug Design Panel (First Nations), City of Coffs Harbour Council Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee, City of Sydney Aboriginal Advisory Panel, Sydney Metro Connecting with Country Working Group, City of Parramatta's First Nations Advisory Committee. 

More information

• Framework section 3.1 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - guidance from Aboriginal community 
• Practice Note: Engaging with Aboriginal Communities (PDF, 1.8 MB) - stakeholder mapping and ‘Local partnership’ which includes how to contact community.

Ways of working together

After you have established that you will collaborate with community on your project, you should develop a ‘designing with Country’ strategy together with community. This should include the engagement approach and should reflect the community’s preferred process. For more information on what to include in a ‘designing with Country’ strategy refer to the FAQ ‘How do I assess if a project is responding to Country?'

Community workshops or working groups may be good ways to collaborate, but other ways may also be developed. 

Working with different Aboriginal communities on the shared goal of achieving positive outcomes for Country is recommended. For guidance on how to collaborate with different Aboriginal communities, refer to the Practice Note: Engaging with Aboriginal Communities (PDF, 1.8 MB).

The framework can help Aboriginal communities

• negotiate and agree outcomes for Country with clients and developers
• collaborate with clients, with and without cultural advisers
• decide how much community involvement is needed on a project and where input can have the greatest impact 
• lead and guide a project from the start and throughout, including financial decision-making
• actively participate in shared decision-making processes for precinct or regional planning projects that affect Country they are responsible to care for
• advocate for the protection of cultural knowledge in projects, including Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP)
• advocate for training to develop community spatial design skills and understanding of planning and design processes.

Determine the level of community involvement with community agreement

While all projects can benefit from engaging with community and cultural advisers, it’s not always practical or necessary. The significance and scale of a project may help to determine the appropriate scope of community involvement – high, medium or low. Refer to Framework section 3.1 (PDF, 6.4 MB) 'Determining involvement of community'.

More engagement should occur in the earlier phases of a project (formation and design phases). Projects with higher levels of community involvement will have more frequent and regular engagement than those with low community involvement.

Establish a governance structure

Clients should establish a governance structure at the start of a project to enable the best outcomes for Country and a coordinated approach. This can be particularly beneficial for precinct planning, large-scale projects, or multiple projects in one area.

Diagram

Refer to Diagram: Community governance structure (PDF, 373 KB).

Cultural advisers 

It may be appropriate to engage the services of a cultural adviser who can add value to projects by helping to develop and facilitate relationships with Aboriginal communities, and to guide research and interpretation of cultural knowledge. Supply Nation, New South Wales Indigenous Chamber of Commerce and Buy NSW are reliable sources for finding consultants who have proven experience as cultural advisers and spatial design experts. However, it is also important that advisers have experience relevant to the local community.

Example projects

Refer to Example: How do I engage with Aboriginal communities?’ (PDF, 6.6 MB).

More information

• Framework section (PDF, 6.4 MB) - Aboriginal cultural context
• Framework section 3.1 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - guidance from Aboriginal community, practical actions and ways of working together and determining the level of community involvement
• Practice Note: Engaging with Aboriginal Communities (PDF, 1.8 MB) - good engagement practices and guidance on how to contact Aboriginal communities.
• Connecting with Country case studies further down the page and the example projects above - examples of different levels of community involvement across a range of project scales
• Undertaking Engagement Guidelines for State Significant Projects (PDF, 8.3 MB).

Not all competitions require engagement with Aboriginal communities

Clients (also known as applicants) with their competition managers can check the need for engagement. Refer to the FAQ ‘When do I need to engage with Aboriginal communities?’

Where engagement is required in a competition, levels of engagement vary

Competitions are typically triggered for projects that are significant. Clients should ensure communities know that a competition is occurring at the start of the project. This enables the community to prioritise which projects they can be involved in and determine their level of involvement. 

The time frames and probity requirements of design competitions mean there are specific processes required for engaging with Aboriginal communities.

Diagram

Refer to Diagram: Competition engagement flowchart (PDF, 497 KB). It provides guidance for clients and their competition managers on how to incorporate engagement into the typical stages of a design competition. It indicates two typical pathways, a ‘low engagement’ pathway which is suitable for most projects and a ‘high engagement’ pathway for highly significant projects.

For competitions requiring a low-level of engagement, the best use of Aboriginal communities’ limited time and resources is typically after the competition has been awarded.

For projects that are of high significance to the community, the client should work with the community (or community reference group) during the competition phase, as well as after the competition has been awarded.

Engaging with community requires appropriate allocation of time and resources. 

Cultural advisers in design competitions

Aboriginal cultural advisers can help develop and facilitate relationships with Aboriginal communities.

Due to the inherent significance of all design competition projects, clients can benefit from involving a cultural adviser to provide support during the project formation and development of the competition strategy and brief.

Some significant and larger projects may benefit from competing project teams also having their own cultural advisers, independent of the client’s cultural adviser (this is explained in more detail in the ‘competitions engagement flowchart’ diagram). Design teams’ cultural advisers can help speed up the competition process by ensuring design teams interpret the competition brief appropriately.

Design teams should carefully consider if they need to engage a cultural advisor for a competition. Typically, this is only recommended for significant projects with high levels of engagement. This helps to ensure:

• that cultural advisers are spending their time on the projects that are most significant to community
• cultural safety by allowing cultural advisers sufficient time to collaborate with community.

More information

• Framework section 3.1 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - ‘Guidance from Aboriginal community’, including ‘Determining involvement of community’
• FAQ ‘How do I engage with Aboriginal communities’ - It explores three levels of community involvement and different ways engagement can be prioritised. It also explains more about cultural advisers.
• Framework section 4 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - 'Designing with Country' refer to this when you are developing the competition brief.
• Undertaking Engagement Guidelines for State Significant Projects (PDF, 8.3 MB)
• GANSW Design Competition Guidelines - practical advice about how to plan and deliver a fair and successful design competition. This includes descriptions of the roles including the Competition manager.
• For competitive design processes where the Local Government Area is the consent authority, refer to their guidance on responding to Country.

Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP)

Australian Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) refers to the rights that Aboriginal people have to protect their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and cultural expression.

The terms ‘caring for Country’, ‘connecting with Country’, and ‘designing with Country’ are Aboriginal cultural terms. These terms should be used by project teams only with permission from the Aboriginal community they are working with. 

Do I need permission from communities to share their cultural knowledge? 

Yes. Only projects with direct engagement with Aboriginal communities can share cultural knowledge with the community’s permission.

Cultural knowledge (including research on cultural stories, totems and Aboriginal artworks) should only be used for the particular purpose it was given, such as for a specific project or report. It is important to get agreement or ‘free and informed prior consent’ from Aboriginal communities before projects can respond to cultural knowledge.  

All projects gather and protect cultural knowledge, and thus need ICIP protocols, even when there is no direct involvement with community

When you encounter Aboriginal cultural knowledge during desktop research you are interacting with ICIP. It is important that your organisation has ICIP protocols, so everyone knows appropriate ways to gather and protect cultural knowledge. Ensure you appropriately credit any sources, and do not explicitly reference any cultural knowledge.

• It is best practice to establish ICIP protocols specific to your project, that cover all project phases. The scale and significance of a project will help determine how ICIP is used to inform the development.
• Projects that do not require direct engagement with Aboriginal community can still benefit from Aboriginal cultural knowledge. Information gathered during desktop research can contribute to some of the outcomes listed in the framework section 3.5 (PDF, 6.4 MB).
  • Healthy Country (e.g. high biodiversity, resilient ecological systems, harnessing natural light and ventilation, alternatives to excavation). 
  • Cultural competency (e.g. improving workplace culture and awareness)
  • Better Places (e.g. projects that connect to broader landscapes beyond the site boundary)
• ICIP protocols should be followed by all project team members, including cultural advisers.

Example project 

Refer to Example: How do I respond to cultural knowledge and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property ICIP? (PDF, 3.85 MB).

More information

• Framework section 2.3 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - ICIP and when project teams interact with ICIP
• Department of Planning and Environment’s Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Protocol (PDF, 1.1 MB) - ‘free and informed prior consent’ and principles guiding how to establish ICIP protocols’ 
• Dr Terri Janke’s book "True Tracks" (2021) - ICIP protocols
• ‘Introducing the Connecting to Country framework’ webinar - watch from minute 41:50 - 44:00 to learn more about cultural terms like “design, care and connect with Country”
• International Indigenous Design Charter - a living document for the best practice protocols when working with Indigenous knowledge and material in commercial design practice.

Achieve positive outcomes for Country

The following outcomes for Country can be used as practical indicators that demonstrate a project’s successful response to Country. It is possible to achieve all 5 outcomes when you are collaborating with community via a ‘designing with Country’ approach:

1. Healthy Country 
2. Healthy community 
3. Protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage 
4. Cultural competency 
5. Better Places

Projects with no or low community involvement that are taking a Country-centred approach can achieve only some outcomes for Country like Healthy Country, Cultural Competency and Better Places.

Refer to the framework section 3.5 (PDF, 6.4 MB) for more detail on the outcomes for Country.

Design basics

In addition to the typical design processes and practices we use as built environment professionals, bringing understanding of Country into these processes can help improve project outcomes. 

• Connecting to the broader landscape by thinking beyond site boundaries.
• Promoting and protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage. This includes supporting living cultural practices and providing access to Country. This helps community meet their obligations to care for Country.
• Acknowledging our shared histories, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal.
• Supporting the health and wellbeing of Country by following good environmentally sustainable design practices.

Focus your design response and celebrate the particularities of the place

The best projects have a focused design response to Country that doesn’t address all elements of Country using all the strategies suggested in the framework, but instead celebrates the particularities and purpose specific to that place.

Example projects

Refer to Example: What are the best ways to design with Country? (PDF, 3.8 MB).

Other examples – Connecting with Country case studies

Refer to the case studies further down the page.

More information 

• Framework section 4 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - the design basics, design opportunities, design considerations
• Framework section 3.5 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - the Outcomes for Country.

Responding to Country extends across all phases of a project including formation, design, delivery and maintenance. 

Below are a few tips:

• Building relationships with Aboriginal communities takes time and commitment and needs to occur from project initiation through to all phases of a project. 
• Establish Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) protocols early and ensure they are embedded across all stages of the project.
• Establish project governance measures to regularly report back to community about project progress, including how their input has shaped the design. 
• Cultural knowledge can be used only for the purpose for which it was provided, for example for a specific project.
• Projects should achieve healthy, interconnected natural ecosystems, supported by regenerative practices based on Aboriginal knowledge. 
• Think beyond site boundaries and consider the concept of cultural landscapes. 
• Look for opportunities to provide space or accommodation on site for Aboriginal community to reconnect and care for Country. This will enable the community to maintain and protect Aboriginal artefacts and cultural sites. It will also allow community to continue living cultural practices such as cultural burning to support the health of new and existing indigenous vegetation. 
• Country-focused design is both a process and product that goes beyond stylised homage to plants and animals. 
• Project team members and decision makers have a responsibility to undertake their own research and engage in cultural awareness training. 
• Provide employment opportunities for Aboriginal community members throughout all stages of a project.
• We need more Aboriginal designers of the built environment. NSW needs more Aboriginal architects, urban planners and landscape architects. This will give even greater support to a Country-centred approach in project delivery and help make the design of buildings and places more culturally sensitive.
   

Responding to Country is not a planning requirement 

In most cases assessment is not required for responses to Country. However, in some cases projects must engage with Aboriginal communities to meet other planning or heritage requirements. When this is the case, the GANSW Connecting with Country Framework (PDF, 6.4 MB) can assist with meeting these existing requirements.

This FAQ has been developed with input from Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s assessment planners and will continue to be updated with more detail and examples. It should be read in conjunction with the FAQs ‘What is the framework’s role and its place in the planning system?’ and ‘What are the different approaches when responding to Country?’ 

Assessment should focus on process

Where planning assessment of responses to Country do take place, they should focus on the process undertaken. 

For a project to claim it has achieved ‘designing with Country’, ‘caring for country’ or ‘connecting with Country’, Aboriginal communities must provide feedback and support for the process. Documentation should include evidence of this support.

Where projects are taking a ‘Country-centred approach’ and the community is not involved. 

Assessing outcomes

Although the focus of assessment should be on process, outcomes for Country can also be assessed. The ‘indicators for success’ within the framework, section 3.5 (PDF, 6.4 MB), and the sub-sections within section 4, titled ‘how project teams can apply this’, may be useful alongside supplementary Aboriginal cultural heritage and technical studies, and connecting with Country strategies/frameworks relevant to the project.

Designing with Country strategies 

‘Designing with Country’ strategies developed by the client together with community can include:

• Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) protocols
• governance structure – showing how communities, clients, cultural advisors and project teams will work together
• outcomes for Country – refer to section 3.5 of the framework
• engagement strategies including timelines for engagement, activities and outcomes 
• records of advice from the community, design responses to the advice, and evidence that community has reviewed and supports the design response.
• Response to any broader ‘designing with Country’ strategies that are applicable to the project.

More information

• Framework section 3.5 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - Practical indicators of success in the ‘Outcomes for Country’
• Framework section 4 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - ‘How project teams can apply this’, refer to sub-headings in this section  
• Framework section 4.3 (PDF, 6.4 MB) - Design considerations for precinct, building and small-scale projects.

• Barrangal Dyara (Skin and Bones) (PDF, 1.1 MB)
• Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation (PDF, 1.7 MB)
• Gayini (PDF, 1.1 MB)
• Magic at Rick Farley Reserve (PDF, 1 MB)

• Wianamatta: Western Sydney Aerotropolis (PDF, 1.8 MB)
• Eora Journey: Recognition in the Public Domain (PDF, 1.2 MB)
• Macquarie Street East Precinct (PDF, 2.8 MB)
• Parramatta Square (PDF, 1.3 MB)
• Shelter@Rainforest Ecovillage (PDF, 1 MB)

• Bilya Koort Boodja (PDF, 1.6 MB)
• Casino Aboriginal Medical Service (PDF, 1.1 MB)
• Kimberwalli – Many Stars (PDF, 2.9 MB)
• Koorie Heritage Trust (PDF, 898 KB)

• For our Country (PDF, 2 MB)
• Gosford Waterfront Park (PDF, 1.6 MB)
• In Absence (PDF, 870 KB)
• Yarrila Place (PDF, 1.8 MB)
• Bara (PDF, 1.3 MB)