SRR782 Assignment 2

Scope of the Research Submission Date: 15/4/15

Student Name: Brittany Parris Mould

Student No.: 215019188

Potential Supervisors: Dr Louise Johnson

Research Title: The Changing Role of the Aboriginal Land Council & its Influence on NSW Planning

Brittany Mould Student ID: 215 019 188 The Changing Role of the Aboriginal Land Council & its Influence on NSW Planning

Diagram the ‘Scope of Research’ (25% of this assignment)

A.

Research Question Current planning practices involving the ALC

Local vs State vs. Federal Qual Research

Interviews

Past planning involving the Aboriginal Land Council

Industry Research

Literature reviews Case Studies

Desk research

History of topic

Interpret

Clarify Present data

Compare Reflect

Clarify

This ‘Scope of Research’ diagram presents the major pathway to be taken throughout this research. It comprises of the numerous possible outcomes of the major research question, the types of methodologies to be taken during the research process and the outcomes each of these deduce. The purple circles indicate the key areas that structure the thesis’ central research including the topic area and sub-topics. Though only 3 major topics are represented on this diagram there are multiple to be researched. The blue circles are themes that occur as responses to the key areas. These blue circles are the initiated methodology. These blue circles come as a direct reaction to the key areas being made active. The green circles are the final response; they are indicators of both minor and major conclusions – the outcomes of conducting these methodologies (e.g. results). The empty and unfilled circles gesture outcomes, methodologies and possibilities that may be undertaken or may arise during the research process.

Brittany Mould Student ID: 215 019 188 The Changing Role of the Aboriginal Land Council & its Influence on NSW Planning

B. Major Research Question followed by 15-20 Questions: (25% of this assignment) 1. How has the role of the Aboriginal Land Council changed since its establishment in 1977, in relation to Urban Planning? 2. How does the Aboriginal Land Council intend to progress its involvement in future planning development? 3. How can this council ensure that their role in future developments and planning remains significant? 4. What can the land council address now that they did not have the ability to when they were first established? 5. What direction would the current leads of the Aboriginal Land Council like to see them take in the next 10+ years? 6. How does the Aboriginal Land Council impact development applications? 7. Have these influences changed over the past 30 years? 8. What are the major influences in the decisions made by the Aboriginal Land Council? 9. Who or what summons the Aboriginal Land Council to become involved in planning on specific projects? 10. What laws have changed and how have they impacted the contributions of the Aboriginal Land Council? 11. What major barriers does the Aboriginal Land Council experience? 12. What prominent impact does the Aboriginal Land Council have on current urban areas/planning? 13. How does the Aboriginal Land Council ensure the protection of sacred and significant sites within Australia? 14. How do the changing governments and government policies affect their role? 15. How does the Land Council act on concerns with the management of lands for indigenous peoples? 16. Are the actions of the Aboriginal Land Council influential on a single level e.g. local, state or federal level? And is there the prospect that this will change? 17. What responses and solutions does the Aboriginal Land Council provide to the problems and issues associated with crown land, development applications, land use and environmental degradation in Australia? 18. What sectors of urban planning is the Aboriginal Land Council involved in?

Brittany Mould Student ID: 215 019 188 The Changing Role of the Aboriginal Land Council & its Influence on NSW Planning

C. Annotated Literature Review: 

H. Ross, C. Grant, C.J. Robinson, A. Izurieta, D. Smyth & P. Rist CoManagement And Indigenous Protected Areas In Australia: Achievements And Ways Forward, Australasian Journal of Environmental Management Volume 16, Issue 4, 2009

This journal article is critical to the research of this thesis as it reflects on the issue of indigenous ‘management’ of land within Australia. The article addresses the idea of Comanagement between indigenous bodies and local bodies as a way to achieve new levels of communication. This article also describes many programs that will ensure the ongoing protection and management of indigenous culture in Australia. And that the government needs to recognise these programs allowing indigenous management tights in the sectors of interest. It also looks into the negative social and economic factors which prevail within indigenous communities in Australia. This article claims that “Studies on co-management highlight its usefulness as enabling a ‘continuous problem solving process” which indicates that the implementation of ‘co management’ processes have been proven to solve issues. This is relevant to the research as co-operation between the ALC and the Dept. of Planning, the Government and even local councils is a key theme. And by making joint management means of governance the ALC would maintain better communication to planning institutions.



Thompson, Susan. Planning and Multiculturalism: A reflection on Australian Local Practice, Planning Theory & Practice, Volume no. 4. Issue no. 3 (2003): 275-293.

This paper is critical to this thesis as it is specific to the planning practices maintaining cultural diversity. This diversity includes the acknowledgement of Australian indigenous heritage. This paper is analytical of planning processes that respond to sacred aboriginal spaces. The paper addresses the idea that planning professionals ‘must’ have an understanding of “different communities” which is an assumption within the ‘planning’ world. And that resting on this idea is outdated and entails “culturally assimilationist attitudes”. The paper claims that it is not the responsibility of the planning practitioner but the role of the city to ensure that the “planning office” keeps pace with the context and cultural issues. Additionally the paper implies that theoretical and practical responses to cultural issues should be addressed by the institution as a whole not the individual. 

Lane, Marcus B, The Role of Planning In Achieving Indigenous Land Justice and Community Goals, Land Use Policy, Volume, 23. Issue no. 4, 2006

This journal article is critical to the research as it focuses on Australia ‘recognising’ the land rights of Aboriginals over the past 30 years. This is the same timeframe this thesis

Brittany Mould Student ID: 215 019 188 The Changing Role of the Aboriginal Land Council & its Influence on NSW Planning

would benefit from exploring. Many other issues are also addressed by Lane in this article e.g. “planning for the use of land and natural resources”. One of Lane’s concerns with modern and future planning is the use of land and resources, this issue is raised for both planners and individuals/agencies concerned with cultural awareness in the planning process. Lane claims that there is only a ‘modest’ amount of literature written on the topic of indigenous planning which is another reason that perusing this research pathway is critical. This article also claims “protecting indigenous interests by engaging the planning activities of the state, the successful acquisition of lands through legal land claim processes, and helping indigenous communities achieve their goals” which leads to the idea that the manner in which Aboriginal groups such as the ALC engage with planning organisations is crucial to achieving ‘land justice’ and heritage planning goals.

Brittany Mould Student ID: 215 019 188 The Changing Role of the Aboriginal Land Council & its Influence on NSW Planning

Bibliography Conacher, Arthur & Jeanette, Environmental Planning and Management in Australia, Melbourne, Oxford University Press: Melbourne, 2000 English, Anthony. More than Archaeology: Developing Comprehensive Approaches to Aboriginal Heritage Management in NSW. Australian Journal of Environmental Management 9.4 (2002): 218-227. Gleeson, B & Low, N, Australian Urban Planning: New Challenges, New Agendas, Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW, 2000 H. Ross, C. Grant, C.J. Robinson, A. Izurieta, D. Smyth & P. Rist Co-Management And Indigenous Protected Areas In Australia: Achievements And Ways Forward, Australasian Journal of Environmental Management Volume 16, Issue 4, 2009 Freestone, Robert, Designing Australia’s Cities, Sydney: University of New South Wales Press, 2007 Jackson, Sue. Town Country: Urban Development and Aboriginal Land and Sea Rights in Australia. Resources, nations and indigenous peoples: case studies from Australasia, Melanesia and Southeast Asia, 1996 Jackson, Sue. A Disturbing Story: The Fiction of Rationality in Land Use Planning in Aboriginal Australia. Australian Planner Volume 34, Issue 4, 1997 Lane, Marcus B. Buying Back and Caring for Country: Institutional Arrangements and Possibilities for Indigenous Lands Management in Australia, Society & Natural Resources: An International Journal, Volume 15, Issue No.9, 2002 Lane, Marcus B. Affirming New Directions in Planning Theory: Co-management of Protected Area, Society & Natural Resources: An International Journal, Volume 14, Issue No.8, 2001 Lane, Marcus B. Participation, Decentralization, and Civil Society Indigenous Rights and Democracy in Environmental Planning, Journal of Planning Education and Research Volume 22, Issue no. 4, 2003 Lane, Marcus B, The Role of Planning In Achieving Indigenous Land Justice and Community Goals, Land Use Policy, Volume, 23. Issue no. 4, 2006 Lane, Marcus B. Aboriginal Participation in Environment Planning. Australian Geographical Studies Volume no 35.Issue No. 3, 1997 Thompson, Susan & Maginn, Paul, Planning Australia: An Overview of Urban and Regional Planning. Cambridge University Press, 2012 Thompson, Susan. Planning and Multiculturalism: A reflection on Australian Local Practice, Planning Theory & Practice, Volume no. 4. Issue no. 3 (2003): 275-293. Walsh, Fiona, and Paul Mitchell, eds. Planning For Country: Cross-Cultural Approaches to Decision-Making on Aboriginal Lands, IAD press, 2002.

Brittany Mould Student ID: 215 019 188 The Changing Role of the Aboriginal Land Council & its Influence on NSW Planning

D. Research Proposal The Aboriginal Land Council, Its Role and Influence This research project is about gaining further knowledge into the functions and processes of the Aboriginal Land Council. This project will aim to uncover the role of the Aboriginal Land Council within the planning institutions of Australia. And disclose the path to be taken by the ALC in its near and outlying future roles.    

One objective is to develop a guide showing the path previously taken by the ALC since its establishment The thesis question directly addresses the idea that changes have and will be made by the Aboriginal Land Council These changes can be either a positive or negative step in its functions It is the responsibility of the ALC to implement sustainable practices in order to maintain its position influencing planning in Australia

The Origins of the Aboriginal Land Council Since the ALC was established over 30 years ago there have been many changes to the Australian Government both federal and state and changes to local council policy. The benefits and issues that these changes have caused need to be addressed to ensure these are either conserved or avoided in the future of the ALC.     

Along with these governmental/council changes the ALC has adapted What did the ALC negotiate? Will it negotiate its role in the future? What impact does the current government have on the role of the ALC? The ALC is proactive in cooperating with state, government and local council The function of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act within planning institutions Gaining momentum and positive changes to policies within the planning sector of the ALC

Uncovering the future position of the ALC The themes covered in this research proposal have not been previously addressed and this essay will aim to form new ideas about the future of the Aboriginal Land Council. (ALC) Rather than discovering ‘new’ ideas this thesis aims to uncover practises, policies and relations between the ALC and Urban Planning in Australia to ensure that the future of the ALC is secured. For this research to be undertaken the following are needed:     

Access to current and past policies Interviews with the ALC Case studies of past and current involvement in the planning industry Data collected from literature- books, journals, news, written policies Intimate knowledge of the history of the ALC and its relationship to planning

Brittany Mould Student ID: 215 019 188 The Changing Role of the Aboriginal Land Council & its Influence on NSW Planning

Past, Present and Future: Changes made and to be made by the ALC Through the research undertaken by this project, the changing role of The Aboriginal Land Council in relation to planning will be made clear. Issues that stand in the way of their role will be identified. To ensure their practices are sustainable and will allow them to continue their responsibilities in future planning. The findings of this project will aim to address the future of the ALC. This research will uncover themes and patterns in the functions of the ALC, determining if they are productive in the sustainability of it processes. This research will develop comprehensive advice about the planning framework in direct relation to the ALC practices.   

The ALC is intended to protect and promote the cultural and heritage institutions within Australia It’s one of the only governing bodies that have the ability to do so through planning laws. For Australia to benefit from planning that is culturally conscious, the involvement of the ALC is critical in future developments

Conclusion: The findings of this research are useful for understanding the macro and micro processes that ensue within the borders of planning as an institution. The knowledge gained as a result of this research will illustrate changes within the structure of the ALC. Additionally plans can be put in place as a result of this to ensure that the ALC is not taken advantage of by presiding governments or councils. Australian planning has the responsibility to ensure that Aboriginal heritages are ethically managed to protect culture in the name of progression.

Brittany Mould Student ID: 215 019 188 The Changing Role of the Aboriginal Land Council & its Influence on NSW Planning