An Indigenous organisation in Dubbo is set to establish a fresh community centre and plant nursery in order to foster connections between Indigenous people and their culture, thanks to a grant from Aboriginal Affairs NSW.

The Maldanha Miyagan: Pathways Together initiative aims to revitalise a section of crown land in Brocklehurst, located near Dubbo.

The primary objective of this program is to establish a plant nursery that will specialise in seed collection, propagation, cultural plant utilisation, and language preservation. Additionally, the project will encompass the construction of a community hub, which will feature workshop areas, a retail space, and a café.

Pathways Together Aboriginal Corporation director Robert Riley highlighted the upcoming facility's role in providing a safe space for Aboriginal people.

"Our new site will be a safe place for Aboriginal people to come together to learn about Aboriginal plant usage through our nursery and gain employment in many of our new programs," he said.

"They will build gardens, learn mechanical skills, work in the men's shed and pass on this knowledge to our younger generation.

"The project will help Close the Gap in a variety of ways around education, health, wellbeing, employment, youth justice, and out of home care."

The funding will aid in acquiring and enhancing resources essential for operating the nursery, such as a vehicle, fencing, a meeting room, installation of an irrigation system, and training for staff on seed collection and propagation.

"Plants are very important to Aboriginal people for medicines, food, and tool and weapon making," Mr Riley said.

"The project will allow participants to be on Country learning how to collect seed then grow those seeds into plants."

The initiative has received backing from a Community and Place – Closing the Gap 2023-2024 grant provided by Aboriginal Affairs NSW.