Country-based management




Country is a term used by Aboriginal peoples to refer to the land to which they belong and their place of Dreaming.

Country can be used effectively as the basis of planning and management approaches for lands and waters, known as country-based planning and management. These approaches enable Aboriginal groups to express their own vision, values, strategies and actions for their country, irrespective of the various legislation, land ownership and other constraints imposed since European arrival. It can be a powerful tool to engage with government, land holders and others to build partnerships to achieve this vision (see examples below).

Evidence demonstrates that the ability to own, access and undertake practices on country is essential to sustaining and improving the wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples and delivering the benefits that cultural practices bring to the land. This is now recognised in Closing the Gap targets to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s legal rights or interests to their lands and waters.

We promote country-based planning and management approaches to enable greater Aboriginal rights and interests in ways that protect Aboriginal people's cultural and intellectual property.

Banbai Rangers lead on-Country pilot

We supported the Banbai Rangers and Guyra Local Aboriginal Land Council to deliver a ground-breaking pilot of a Whole of Country Plan and Investment Strategy 2023-2033. This innovative tenure-blind process demonstrated how Aboriginal leadership and knowledge can be used to support decision making for improved natural resource management outcomes. The pilot invited collaboration from various government and non-government partners.

The Banbai Rangers led this process that captured the Banbai Aboriginal community’s vision for their Country and culture. They also drew on their knowledge to develop a tenure-blind, whole of Country land management model where Aboriginal cultural values can be used to improve land management outcomes for the whole community.

The pilot partnered with NSW Aboriginal Affairs, Local Land Services, Forestry Corporation of NSW and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Private landholders, state-owned corporations, Australian Government agencies, community groups and adjoining First Nations also participated.

The Banbai Rangers were supported on their journey by:

  • Dr Bhiamie Williamson, an Euahlayi man and Research Fellow at Monash University
  • Mr Oliver Costello, a Bundjalung man and NSW Net Zero Commissioner
  • Dr. Michelle McKemey, Melaleuca Environmental Consultancy Services
  • Dr. Mal Ridges, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

The pilot produced a whole of Country plan and 10-year investment strategy. The plan invites stakeholders to invest in this vision and work with the Banbai Rangers over time.

Through the pilot, the Banbai Rangers renewed their cultural practices and values, and enhanced community resilience and cultural integrity. The process also fostered a strong sense of ownership and empowerment among community members.

Launching the plan

After extensive workshops and consultation, the Banbai Rangers and Guyra Local Aboriginal Land Council launched their whole of Country plan and investment strategy at Wattleridge Indigenous protected area, owned and managed by Banbai Rangers.

The plan is supported by videos that communicate and reflect the Banbai Rangers’ journey and show some of the key stages in the delivery of this pilot.

The Banbai Rangers with support of the Guyra Local Aboriginal Land Council will now begin working on implementing their plan and investment strategy. This work will further engage a range of stakeholders across their lands, including land management agencies, policy makers and private landowners..

The pilot was evaluated by Kowa Collaboration who found the pilot to be a leading example of Aboriginal-led whole of Country planning process that could be scaled up to support broader Aboriginal rights and interests across NSW..

Next steps


  • We will work with the Banbai Rangers to identify opportunities to showcase their plan and investment strategy and support ongoing work streams as noted in their plan.
  • In collaboration with program partners, we will explore forums to engage government more broadly on opportunities to scale up and strengthen Aboriginal participation and decision making in natural resource management.

On-Country plans

Supporting guidelines