Planning with Country

Learn about PIA’s whole of organisation approach to recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples knowledge and history as our First Planners.

First Planners

PIA remains committed to working towards creating better outcomes for Country and community, rethinking planning practice and decolonising planning systems. Explore some of the resources below on how we are working on creating culturally safe spaces in our planning practices to harness authentic and fulfilling partnerships with First Nations Peoples.

Knowledge Circle

PIA’s Knowledge Circle, comprised of passionate professionals including both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members and non-Indigenous allies, plays a pivotal role in our whole of organisation approach to Planning with Country.

Since its establishment in 2021, we have come a long way. But we still have a long way to go. We will continue to champion the role of planners in contributing to a society where our traditional custodian’s culture, knowledge and narratives are valued.

The recent launch of the Knowledge Circle Strategy at the 2025 Congress, marks a significant milestone in our collective journey. This strategy outlines clear ambitions and actions aimed at driving change on all scopes of: individual change, profession-wide change, and systemic change.

Knowledge Circle Strategy

 

Planning with Country Resource Library

Access the Knowledge Circle’s new Planning With Country Resource Library to support planners in gaining insight and practical knowledge into how planning practice can embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, knowledge and the opportunity to build a 'two-way' approach to planning for our shared future.

Resource Library

The Knowledge Circle

Meet the passionate members of our Planning with Country Knowledge Circle.

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Allies Community of Practice

Attend the next yarn - a space for the profession to discuss topics on allyship.

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Uluru Statement from the Heart

PIA remains committed to fulfilling its 2017 endorsement.

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Yes to the Voice

PIA publicly supported Yes to the Voice (2023).

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Indigenous Acknowledgement

PIA would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners on whose Country we live and work. We acknowledge that the Indigenous peoples of Australia are the oldest living culture on Earth, have the oldest continuing land tenure system in the world, and have the oldest continuing land use planning and management system in the world.

We acknowledge that you have suffered the indignity of having your land taken from you without your consent, without a treaty, and without compensation. We acknowledge these matters are yet to be justly resolved. PIA has joined calls for a First Nations Voice to be enshrined in the Constitution.