Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (2025–2027)

Acknowledgement of Country

Heidelberg Materials Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work. We acknowledge the traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and we pay our respect to their Elders past and present.

Download: Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2025–2027 (PDF)

Our vision for Reconciliation

At Heidelberg Materials Australia, we embrace and respect the rich cultural heritages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) provides a framework for advancing reconciliation within our organisation and the communities we work with.

This commitment to reconciliation is reflected in our efforts to foster inclusion and increase diversity in our workplace. By promoting diversity, we are increasing awareness, inviting innovation and opening opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Collaboration through our working groups and policies support the development of an inclusive culture and diverse workforce, aligning with our vision to positively impact the communities in which we operate.

Our reconciliation action plan

Our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) sets out practical steps we will take from November 2025 to November 2027. It builds on the foundations created through our previous plan.

The Innovate RAP focuses on:
•    strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities
•    deepening respect for First Nations cultures, histories and knowledge
•    creating employment, procurement and education opportunities across our operations

Our RAP Working Group brings together people from different regions and functions, including First Nations representatives, to oversee our commitments and keep us accountable.

Through this work we aim to embed reconciliation into everyday decisions, from how we plan our sites to how we recruit, buy goods and services and partner with communities.

Our RAP Pillars

Care

With extensive land holdings across Australia, we’re committed to preserving the sites which hold strong spiritual and cultural significance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, acting responsibly and with respect for the communities and the environment we operate in.

Collaboration

By working together to overcome challenges, we can drive continuous improvement and create real impact through creating employment opportunities for local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, building partnerships with Indigenous businesses and enhancing cultural competency for our employees

Ownership

Through meaningful engagement and collaboration with Traditional Owners, government bodies and community groups, we are accountable for our decisions and actions.

Heidelberg Materials Australia CEO Phil Schacht
“

I’m proud to introduce our second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which builds on the positive strides made through our first RAP. Having operated in Australia for more than 70 years, we understand the important role we play in the communities where we live and work, from responsible practices in our own operations to supporting local initiatives that enhance people’s lives.

Phil Schacht, Chief Executive Officer

Our Reconciliation Journey

Our reconciliation journey is grounded in long-term partnerships, protection of culturally significant places and practical support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

Protecting cultural heritage at Red Hill

At Red Hill Quarry in WA, we work with Nyungar Elders to protect Boyay Gogomat (the Ancestral Owl Stone) and nearby heritage sites through exclusion zones, vibration monitoring and ongoing on-Country engagement.

Manjali Studio School site during construction August 2024
Fostering education

Through Studio Schools Australia we support on-Country education including the Manjali Studio School build, providing project management and logistics support.

Sticks to Stadium Program in New South Wales
Creating pathways for young people

Our partnership with the Clontarf Foundation supports school engagement and employment pathways, alongside programs like Sticks to Stadium and Sydney Men’s Shed.

Seed collecting with Nugal Biik at Heidelberg Materials Wollert Quarry Landfill.
Caring for Country at our Wollert Quarry

We partner with Nugal Biik Plants and Seeds to grow indigenous plants and rehabilitate Country, creating Junior Ranger pathways.

Burri Burri pictured on the Lake Illawarra Art Trail
Supporting Dharawal culture

Bass Point Quarry supplied materials for Burri Burri, a bronze whale sculpture telling a Dharawal Dreaming story at Lake Illawarra.

 

Our Innovate RAP Commitments (2025–2027)

Our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan is structured around four focus areas – Relationships, Respect, Opportunities and Governance – guiding how we work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across our business.

Relationships

  • Develop local engagement approaches for each region.
  • Participate in and promote National Reconciliation Week events.
  • Collaborate with like-minded organisations to advance reconciliation.
  • Embed anti-discrimination expectations and training for leaders.

A visual story of connection

Acknowledgement of Country page featuring Indigenous artwork by Nikita Ridgeway with her portrait, artist biography and artwork story.

RAP Art Banner_Nikita.

Acknowledgement of Country page featuring Indigenous artwork by Nikita Ridgeway with her portrait, artist biography and artwork story.

RAP Art Banner_Nikita.

Artwork story

Nikita has created a beautifully detailed and multi-layered piece around our values of Care, Collaboration and Ownership. Her artwork, entitled ‘Innovate and Collaborate’, respects People, History and Culture, featuring symbolic elements that represent ancestors, journey and songlines.

  • Care is expressed through community symbols, with concentric circles representing places of meeting or connection.
  • Collaboration is depicted through groupings of symbols around community symbols, emphasising unity and co-operation.
  • Ownership is shown through U-shapes, which depict the mark on the ground when a person sits cross-legged on the earth.
  • Connecting these elements are green pathways, representing journey, and ancestor symbols which represent history.
  • Heidelberg Materials Australia’s own products, such as aggregates, are represented throughout via grey dots.

Artist biography

Nikita Ridgeway is an award-winning Bundjalung/Biripi artist and the Founder and Director of Boss Lady Design and Communications. 

As an Aboriginal businesswoman, Nikita has been recognised for her entrepreneurial work and advocacy for change, using business as a vehicle to foster a deeper understanding of Aboriginal people and culture. Nikita also designed the artwork for our first Reconciliation Action Plan.