Development Victoria acknowledges that all the work we do is on Aboriginal Land.
We recognise our responsibility as a landowner, developer and agency of the State Government of Victoria to play a role in delivering on the ambitions of Treaty with Traditional Owners and First Peoples in Victoria.
Our First Peoples Partnerships team leads Development Victoria’s work to:
- build relationships with the Traditional Owner groups on whose Country we work
- develop the capability of our organisation to respectfully engage with First Peoples communities and deliver on Treaty
- enhance internal processes, including procurement and employment.
Artwork: Yinga Biik Birranga-ga (Sing land and Country)
Steve Ulula Parker is a Boon Wurrung, Yorta Yorta and Erub artist. His artwork “Yinga Biik Birranga-ga” represents the Victorian coastline, including our two great bays Nairm / Port Phillip Bay and Murranbik / Western Port Bay, rendered in warm ochre.
The circle motifs in the artwork represent the meeting places and campfires of Victoria’s 40+ Aboriginal language groups, each connected with Songlines. The Kulin creator spirits Bundjil the eagle and Waa the crow can be seen reflected in the warreeny / sea.
Our vision for First Peoples Partnerships
Our vision for First Peoples Partnerships is to have trusted partnerships with First Peoples that guide the creation of places and communities that reflect the values, cultures and aspirations of Victorian Traditional Owners.
We’ve committed to improving the cultural safety of our organisation to increasingly attract and retain First Peoples team members at every level of the organisation. We will continually elevate the capability of our team members to deeply listen to, understand, collaborate with and celebrate First Peoples’ ways of knowing, being and doing.
We will seek out opportunities to partner with Traditional Owner groups for the Country on which we work, and we will give our people the tools and time to deliver the outcomes First Peoples communities are seeking. We will learn by listening and doing.
We will be responsive to the needs and preferences of these Traditional Owner groups and invite them to self-determine what successful partnerships and meaningful outcomes look like for them.
Our First Peoples Partnerships Action Plan
We have completed implementation of our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP, November 2023 – November 2025).
We are now developing our next three year, First Peoples Partnerships Action Plan. This plan outlines a series of actions and deliverables that will help us shift our vision to reality and be guided by Victoria's first State-wide Treaty.
In light of the Victorian Government commitments to advancing self-determination and entering a new phase of Treaty in Victoria, our future action plan will closely align with the Victorian Government frameworks, while retaining the strengths and learnings from our past Reconciliation Action Plans.
This includes a continued commitment to regular public reporting and strong accountability.
To read our most recent Progress Snapshot, see the July 2024 to June 2025 progress report.
Updated on 19 March 2026