Moree Plains Shire Council (MPSC) Master Plan and Infrastructure Plan
The Moree Plains Shire Council (MPSC) Master Plan and Infrastructure Plan for the Moree Town Centre, Southwest Moree and Pallamallawa areas are designed to meet future population growth to 2041 (9,700 new residents; 4,000 new jobs; and 4,400 new dwellings) resulting from major regional infrastructure investment (Inland Rail Project and the Special Activation Precinct focus). As Indigenous Advisors on the project, the Good Energy Minds team engaged with Indigenous communities for the MPSC to identify significant Indigenous cultural sites, in a municipality spanning 17,928 km², that may be impacted by a 20-year housing development strategy.
What we Delivered
Good Energy Minds worked with MPSC to:
- Select representative community members to form an Indigenous working group to identify significant archaeological sites and recommend how these sites are to be managed
- Develop culturally appropriate procedures to ensure informed consent was obtained for all working group members before conducting site investigations
- Identify “Design with Country” principles, opportunities and recommendations to ensure the voice of the local Indigenous community could be incorporated into the Master Plan
- Prepare an Indigenous Framework to acknowledge and protect Indigenous knowledge and artefacts, and identify their value and significance to all members of the broader community
The Outcome
Good Energy Minds ensured the Indigenous community was represented when investigating key project sites for culturally significant artefacts. We prepared detailed reports documenting historical events and how future engagement with the Indigenous community could be enhanced for future generations.
Our Role
We ensured appropriate representation of the Indigenous community in the development of the Master Plan and Infrastructure Plan. Transparent negotiations with Indigenous representatives provided an opportunity for respectful engagement to inform the broader community.
