Acknowledgement of Country

The Victorian Government acknowledges Traditional Owners in Victoria as the custodians of Country. We acknowledge their extraordinary strength and resilience in the face of historical and ongoing social, economic and legal injustices, maintaining their connection to Country.

We pay our respects to Elders past and present, whose knowledge and wisdom have ensured the continuation of spiritual and cultural practices. We also acknowledge the diversity of First Peoples’ communities in Victoria.

We acknowledge that the long-lasting, far-reaching and intergenerational consequences of colonisation and dispossession continue to exist today and continue to cause harm. Colonisation has left entrenched systemic and structural racism and suffering, including through the laws and policies of the Colony of Victoria, which specifically excluded First Peoples and their laws, lores, customs, languages and cultures. The Victorian Government has a responsibility to transform its systems and service delivery so First Peoples have decision-making power over matters that directly affect them.

We recognise Plan for Victoria’s actions will directly impact Country, and we acknowledge Traditional Owners’ inherent rights to speak and make decisions for Country. Historically, Victoria’s land use planning and development laws and regulations have not been written with input by or with regard to the interests of First Peoples. Planning processes have not considered, recognised or respected their rights and perspectives.

Through this plan, we seek to build partnerships with Traditional Owners and First Peoples across Victoria to change systems to enable self-determination and deliver better outcomes for First Peoples. As we work to achieve Plan for Victoria’s vision, we recognise the contributions of Traditional Owners and First Peoples to Victorian life and how it enriches us all.

We also acknowledge First Peoples’ self-determination is a human right enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We recognise the hard work of many generations of First Peoples who have fought for these rights to be recognised.