Engaging with our communities
Meaningful community participation in infrastructure planning creates a shared sense of purpose and direction. It allows everyone to join in a fair process and see how community views and concerns are included.
Health Infrastructure collaborates with local community members, stakeholders, councils, and community groups to share our health facilities as well as share project information and updates.
For every project, we ensure residents and community groups inform us and are kept informed by:
- community information sessions
- project displays in hospitals and shopping centres
- regular website updates
- updates to our neighbours
- advertisements in local newspapers and radio programs.
We also plan open days, tours, and official openings. For some projects, we invite the community to submit artworks and photographs to create engaging public health spaces.
Acknowledgement of Country
Health Infrastructure acknowledges that it stands on Aboriginal land.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land, and we show our respect for Elders past, present and emerging through thoughtful and collaborative approaches to our work, seeking to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to providing places in which Aboriginal people are included socially, culturally, and economically.
Multiculturalism and diversity are at the heart of what we do. We take pride in recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture.
Health Infrastructure is a strong advocate for Aboriginal participation and inclusion in our projects.
Our redevelopments support initiatives to preserve and celebrate Aboriginal culture. These include networking events, ceremonies on site, honouring and including Aboriginal heritage through consultation in design. We also commission artworks and sculptures to represent the local spirit and history.
Connecting with Country Framework
Health Infrastructure proudly supports Government Architect NSW's Connecting with Country Framework (the framework).
The framework provides guidance for government, planners, designers and industry on how to respond to Country in the planning, design and delivery of infrastructure projects in NSW.
- The Eurobodalla Regional Hospital is a pilot project for the Connecting with Country Framework. It demonstrates our ongoing collaboration with the local Aboriginal community to help design the hospital to accommodate traditional practices like birthing on country.
- The Bathurst Hospital Redevelopment is aligning with the Connecting with Country Framework by meeting with and listening to local Aboriginal Elders, knowledge holders and community members. A Walk on Country and briefings with the community helped to inform the early designs for a culturally appropriate and welcoming health facility that acknowledges and promotes continuous caring and connection to Country.
- The Design Guide for Health: Spaces, Places and Precincts, developed as a collaboration between Health Infrastructure and the Government Architect NSW, outlines the importance of Connecting with Country when planning and designing health facilities.
- Our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (Reflect RAP) is a natural progression of a continual learning process that commenced many years ago. The creation and implementation of the Connecting with Country Framework is an important step in our reconciliation journey and will ensure we create culturally safe and welcoming places, increase Aboriginal engagement with healthcare and improve health outcomes.
Cultural engagement programs
Contact Health Infrastructure
- Address: 1 Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW 2065
- Post: Locked Mail Bag 2030, St Leonards, NSW 1590