A new report, supported by an APPI Policy Challenge Grant, outlines practical steps to strengthen Indigenous leadership in coastal management and conservation.
Led by Dr Mitchell Gibbs from the University of Sydney, the project focuses on how Australian government agencies can partner more effectively with local Indigenous communities to embed Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, cultural authority and place-based stewardship in environmental and biodiversity governance.
A case study of the Gamay Rangers (Botany Bay) demonstrates how Indigenous-led action can improve environmental outcomes and highlights the importance of clear governance arrangements and early, meaningful engagement.
The report identifies three priority areas for action: strengthening Aboriginal partnerships throughout project design and delivery, prioritising and protecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, and improving mechanisms for incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge into environmental management and land-use planning.
Dr Gibbs said the work is aimed at practical implementation. “This report is about moving from acknowledgment to action, creating clearer pathways for co-governance and ensuring Indigenous knowledge, authority and relational care for Country are embedded in the way environmental decisions are made.”
The project provides guidance for governments seeking to strengthen collaboration with Indigenous communities and support sustainable, culturally-informed approaches to caring for land and sea Country.
APPI’s Head of Energy and Environment Policy, Bonnie Bley, added: “The report provides a practical framework on how Indigenous leadership and knowledge can be more enshrined in ecological decision-making. Extreme weather events brought about by climate change and the Triple Planetary Crisis further highlight the role of place-based, local stewardship going forward.”
