Future Appin First Nations Reference Group (FNRG)

Overview

Tika EQ was engaged by Walker Corporation to design, facilitate, and provide secretariat services for the First Nations Reference Group (FNRG) for the Future Appin Development, an ongoing, long-term master-planned community being developed on Dharawal Country in Appin, NSW.

The Future Appin project is one of the largest new community developments in Western Sydney, set to deliver approximately 13,000 new homes, 6 schools, and more than 250 hectares of parkland and conservation areas. The development will also include a new town centre, community facilities, and integrated walking and cycling networks, designed to balance population growth with environmental care and cultural integrity.

Tika EQ’s role ensures that First Nations voices, values, and cultural knowledge are continuously embedded in the project’s governance, planning, and design processes through an enduring partnership approach.

Our Role and Approach

Working alongside Walker Corporation, Traditional Custodians, and key government stakeholders, Tika EQ established and continues to coordinate the First Nations Reference Group (FNRG), a formal governance mechanism providing ongoing cultural guidance and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.

Our approach includes:

• Designing the Reference Group Framework – Developing governance structures, terms of reference, and operational protocols to ensure cultural safety, accountability, and clarity of purpose.
• Facilitating Group Meetings and Workshops – Leading regular FNRG sessions to support open dialogue between Dharawal representatives, cultural knowledge holders, and project decision-makers on topics relating to Country, culture, and community outcomes.
• Providing Secretariat and Advisory Support – Managing all meeting logistics, records, and communications to ensure transparency, consistency, and continuity over the project’s duration.
• Embedding Cultural Guidance – Supporting the integration of Dharawal perspectives into key areas such as environmental management, cultural heritage protection, landscape design, and place identity.

This enduring governance process reflects a best-practice engagement model consistent with the NSW Government’s Connecting with Country Framework, ensuring Aboriginal leadership remains central as the project evolves.

Key Outcomes

Through the establishment and ongoing facilitation of the FNRG, the project has achieved significant outcomes and continues to deliver value for both the community and the developer:

• A trusted and culturally informed governance platform enabling Traditional Custodian representation in decision-making and design processes.
• Strengthened relationships and collaboration between Walker Corporation, Traditional Custodians, and Aboriginal organisations, fostering mutual respect and long-term partnership.
• Ongoing integration of cultural, environmental, and social priorities within project planning, including the recognition of heritage landscapes and incorporation of Dharawal narratives in design.
• A repeatable engagement model for large-scale developments that demonstrates how continuous First Nations involvement can guide responsible and inclusive growth.

Legacy and Impact

The Future Appin Development represents a new standard for culturally grounded urban development in Western Sydney.

Through the ongoing work of the First Nations Reference Group, Walker Corporation is ensuring that the expansion of Appin is shaped not only by planning priorities but by deep listening to Country and community.

Tika EQ’s continuing role in facilitation and governance ensures that Traditional Custodian perspectives remain active and influential as the project moves through planning, delivery, and implementation, embedding cultural leadership at the heart of every stage.

The project stands as a model for how growth and culture can coexist, creating a legacy of respect, inclusion, and connection for future generations.