NGNU supported Sydney Water with cultural engagement services for the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre in Western Sydney. Our role focused on embedding Aboriginal cultural values and perspectives into planning for one of the state’s most significant water infrastructure projects.
The project is part of Sydney Water’s strategy to deliver sustainable, future-ready water solutions that support growth across Western Sydney.
The key challenge was to incorporate Aboriginal cultural knowledge into a highly technical and regulated infrastructure project. Balancing environmental, engineering, and community objectives within a complex statutory framework required clear consultation processes and the ability to translate cultural perspectives into practical planning outcomes. The scale of the project and its long-term environmental footprint added further complexity, requiring engagement that could inform not only design but also operational considerations.
NGNU worked alongside Sydney Water and its consultant partners to ensure cultural perspectives were integrated into the project framework. By engaging with Aboriginal stakeholders in alignment with local cultural governance structures, we helped ensure that decisions around land use, water management, and environmental impact reflected cultural values. Our contribution strengthened Sydney Water’s commitment to sustainability and created a model for how large-scale infrastructure can be guided by Designing with Country principles.
