NSWICC Chief Executive Officer Deb Barwick joined Danny Lester, Executive Director, Aboriginal Strategy, Policy and Engagement at the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, for the University of Technology Sydney's Net Zero Futures: Country and Climate event on 20 August 2026. The panel was moderated by Susan Moylan-Coombs.
The session, The Business of the Environment when Belonging to Country, considered how genuine connection and responsibility to Country can reshape the way business, government and communities understand environmental responsibility, partnership and success.
The Country and Climate symposium was part of UTS's Net Zero Futures series, which brings together leaders from government, industry, academia and community to consider practical pathways towards a sustainable net zero future, with Indigenous knowledge at the centre of the conversation.
Country Centred Decision Making
Deb spoke about the importance of involving Indigenous people early in planning and decision making. Meaningful engagement requires more than consultation. It requires genuine influence, respect for local cultural authority, and an equitable share in the opportunities and long term benefits created through investment, planning and procurement.
This approach strengthens environmental, cultural and economic outcomes together. It recognises that the health of Country, cultural strength, community wellbeing and intergenerational benefit must sit alongside financial return when success is measured.
A key message from Deb's contribution was reciprocity. A sustainable future is not simply about what is taken from Country, communities or partnerships. It is also about what is returned through respect, accountability, shared benefit and enduring opportunity.
For Indigenous businesses and communities, meaningful economic participation goes beyond short term contracts. It depends on transparent opportunities, culturally informed and capable partners, fair and prompt payment, supplier development, and lasting pathways to business growth, employment, ownership and community benefit.
When investment and procurement are guided by reciprocity, the benefits can extend beyond a single transaction to support stronger communities, capable local supply chains and long term prosperity.
Deb also highlighted NSWICC's Buying on Country: Equitable Procurement Practices program as a practical example of helping government staff put these principles into action. The program supports buyers to develop procurement practices that are inclusive, equitable and culturally responsive, while helping ensure opportunities reach verified Indigenous businesses.
The pathway to net zero must strengthen Country and communities as well as reduce emissions. Deb highlighted the importance of measuring success through the health of Country, cultural strength, community wellbeing and outcomes for future generations, alongside financial return.
This broader view of success creates space for government, industry and communities to make decisions that are grounded in care, responsibility and mutual benefit. It also positions Indigenous enterprise and knowledge as essential to the long term prosperity of New South Wales.
NSWICC thanks the University of Technology Sydney for convening this important discussion, and Danny Lester for sharing the panel. Conversations such as these help move Country centred decision making and reciprocity from principle into practice.
Learn more about the UTS Net Zero Futures series: Net Zero Futures at UTS
Learn more about NSWICC's Buying on Country program: Equitable Procurement Practices