Heal the land heal the people

David Collard presently works as the State Aboriginal Natural Resource Management (NRM) Coordinator with the State NRM Office based in the Department of Food and Agriculture in Western Australia. David’s role includes the development of a state-wide Aboriginal engagement framework to increase Aboriginal participation in natural resource management. Previously David worked in the Department of Water and developed opportunities for the engagement of the Aboriginal community in water resource management.

David has worked in Aboriginal affairs for over 30 years. He enjoys the challenge of working outside the “box” as a Nyoongar public servant and is thrilled at the opportunity to increase Aboriginal engagement in NRM. David Recently completed the Public Sector Management course delivered by Flinders University, which he adds to the Degree from Curtin University in Social Sciences. David has been on several community committees and recently was appointment to the National Indigenous Advisory Committee as the WA representative.

Presently David is working with the South-West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council to develop a regional framework for engagement in NRM and utilising the regional governance structures to improve the project delivery by Aboriginal contractors. The Aboriginal engagement framework identifies the need to increase Aboriginal participation in the decision-making process at regional level.

David has now developed the Aboriginal NRM pathway for the Aboriginal community to build capacity at community level that will enable the development of economic, social, environmental and cultural projects. The pathway will assist the state government to offer more meaningful opportunities during settlement discussions for native title but also to establish long-term sustainability for the land and the people.