A key milestone has been reached in the South Australian Trading Tracks pilot with the establishment of the Indigenous Business Reference Group, a regionally grounded advisory group supporting the future direction of the program.
The Indigenous Business Reference Group brings together Traditional Owner groups from across the SA Trading Tracks footprint, alongside delivery partner Tactic, the Local Buying Foundation and First Nations Engagement and Capability. The group provides a dedicated forum to ensure the design and delivery of the program is informed by Indigenous perspectives, lived experience and regional priorities.
The group has been established to move away from a one‑size‑fits‑all approach, creating a culturally safe space for open and honest discussion about what works, what does not and how the program can better support Indigenous businesses at all stages of their journey. Members are contributing insights into program design, engagement approaches, communications, verification processes and practical ways to strengthen outcomes for businesses on the ground.
The first meeting marked an important shift from planning to shared ownership, with strong discussion around local context, cultural considerations and how SA Trading Tracks can complement existing services across the region. These conversations are already helping to shape priorities, inform delivery planning and build trust across the broader business support ecosystem.
By embedding Indigenous leadership and advice early in the pilot, SA Trading Tracks is laying strong foundations for a program that is locally relevant, culturally informed and responsive to real business needs.
This initiative demonstrates collaboration in action, with Traditional Owner groups, service providers and partners working together to shape a program that is built with communities, not just for them.