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Acknowledging Country in Engineering and Infrastructure Proposals

Written by Stephanie De Leon, Principal Consultant, Frontrunner Communications

A small paragraph. Big impact. Your Acknowledgment of Country sets the tone for respect, collaboration, and professionalism, before anyone reads a single word of your proposal.
Why Acknowledgment Matters
In Australian infrastructure projects, including an Acknowledgment of Country has become standard practice. But too often, it’s treated as a box‑ticking exercise, slotted at the front of a proposal with little thought.
For projects that physically engage with land, water, and communities, the acknowledgment should carry meaning. It’s not just about recognising history, it’s about acknowledging the ongoing connection that Traditional Custodians have with the land and waters where we work. Done well, it demonstrates respect, awareness, and a commitment to working responsibly with the community.
Knowing the Country
A meaningful acknowledgment starts with understanding the Country your project occupies. Don’t settle for generic terms like “local Aboriginal people.” Identify the correct Traditional Custodians, including Nation, people, and language groups. Where appropriate, mention local waterways or landscapes. Accuracy matters, not just as a professional courtesy, but as a signal that your team has taken the time to understand the context in which the project will unfold.
Key resources for identifying Traditional Custodians include the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia and guidance from Reconciliation Australia on Acknowledgment of Country.
AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia
Crafting Sincere Language
The wording of an acknowledgment should be simple, clear, and genuine. Recognise the enduring connection of First Nations peoples to land, water, and culture. Pay respect to Elders past and present, and, when relevant, acknowledge emerging leaders. Keep it concise! Brevity paired with sincerity often has more impact than a lengthy paragraph. Avoid generic statements, over-claiming relationships, or including political commentary.
Guidance from official sources emphasises that there is no “one-size-fits-all” wording and that sincerity and context are more important than formulaic language.
Integrating the Acknowledgment with Your Proposal
For proposals, the acknowledgment can do more than recognise Country; it can reflect your team’s approach to engagement, cultural heritage management, or Indigenous participation. A brief, thoughtful statement shows that you understand the importance of working respectfully with communities, without turning the acknowledgment into a full policy or consultation statement.
Example:
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the Marri Wind Farm is proposed, the Yued Noongar people. We recognise their enduring connections to Country and community and pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Placement and Presentation
Where you place the acknowledgment is important. Include it in the introduction or inside the front cover to ensure it’s visible. Avoid burying it deep in the proposal or treating it as an afterthought. It should feel naturally integrated, not tacked on.
Accompanying Imagery

Accompanying imagery can strengthen an Acknowledgment of Country by adding depth, clarity, and cultural respect. The most effective visuals help readers connect with place and context — whether that’s through photographs of the construction site or infrastructure referenced in the proposal, images of significant natural landscape landmarks in the region, or shots of local waterways and surrounding vegetation.

Cultural elements can also be incorporated thoughtfully, such as traditional motifs, symbols of land and water, or artwork created by local First Nations artists. Where artwork is used, it’s important to properly acknowledge the artist and respect any cultural usage guidelines they specify.

Photographs of genuine engagement  including Welcome to Country or smoking ceremonies, meetings with Elders, Indigenous participation, or cultural heritage assessments  can add authenticity, provided they are taken and shared with appropriate permission.

The Bigger Picture
A well written Acknowledgment of Country does more than honour tradition. it sets the tone for collaboration and responsibility. Infrastructure is built in relationship with Country and communities. When approached with intention, this simple statement signals your organisation’s values, professionalism, and respect for the people and land involved in the project.
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Make your projects meaningful and respectful. Frontrunner Communications can help integrate cultural awareness, Indigenous engagement, and community collaboration into your proposals and communications. Get in touch today to see how we can support your team.

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