Taking a place-based approach is not a new idea in Australia. Infrastructure Australia acknowledges the foundation of place-based approaches in many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Place is an essential organising feature of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander economy and communities, with attachment to land, kinship relationships and cultural heritage all important considerations for infrastructure planning.10
This approach also highlights how the challenges and opportunities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are shaped by place, and should form the basis of policies and programs.11
Place-based approaches should reflect the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The largest populations are found in urban areas such as Western Sydney and also comprise a significant proportion of the population in many Small Towns, Rural Communities and Remote Areas.12
In this context, a place-based approach built on genuine community engagement that respects a community's cultural identity and existing strengths offer a powerful tool for improving quality of life and opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
A policy and planning approach that embraces a holistic view of community needs has been identified as a critical factor in progressing the Australian Government's Closing the Gap targets.13 This has been formalised as an important goal in its own right. For example, Closing the Gap Priority Reform One is that 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are empowered to share decision-making authority with governments to accelerate policy and place-based progress on Closing the Gap through formal partnership arrangements.'14
The reforms in this chapter reflect Closing the Gap priority outcomes. In particular, those that relate to: involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in formal partnerships; shared decision-making that responds to local priorities; and improving shared access to data and information.
A place-based approach to infrastructure planning, investment and delivery that engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can help meet Closing the Gap targets in a range of areas, including housing, health and workforce participation. This should include developing an understanding of community needs and aspirations, systems in place and the role of place in design and delivery.
It is important that where infrastructure planning processes impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, data used to inform these processes includes disaggregated data for these individuals and communities.
The 2021 Plan includes a number of reforms that will improve quality of life and economic opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including active involvement in infrastructure planning and delivery.