Jeanie Govan and Dr Sharon Harwood founded GOHA Indigenous Planning & Development because they believe that the development of the Indigenous estate in Australia should be approached from an entirely different perspective – one that is grounded, empowers Aboriginal people and creates opportunities to support self-determination. 

“Our goal is to do great projects with good people that leave the world a better place for future generations to enjoy.” 

Jeanie, a proud Tagalaka descendant, has more than 25 years’ experience working across Northern Australia, championing community-driven development. 

She has a deep knowledge of Indigenous land-use policy and a knack for strategic stakeholder engagement. 

Jeanie collaborates with governments, Aboriginal corporations and communities to foster sustainable, culturally respectful progress and has extensive experience in remote Aboriginal communities, leading culturally-informed planning and engagement in infrastructure, housing, and services. 

She played key roles in the Jabiru master plan, Gunbalanya laundry project and local decision-making consultations across West Arnhem. 

Sharon is a dynamic project manager and registered planner with more than 25 years’ experience working with Aboriginal communities. 

GOHA’s main services are community and stakeholder engagement, Indigenous estate masterplanning, social impact assessment and strategy design. 

The company has successfully delivered a social impact assessment and return on investment of a renewable energy project on Aboriginal-owned land in Queensland and for the construction of a regional service delivery hub for an Aboriginal corporation in New South Wales. 

GOHA has also completed a strategic assessment of the land assets and statutory land use planning with the board of a prescribed body corporate and made recommendations for tenure and development options. 

GOHA empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through culturally respectful engagement, strategic planning and sustainable development, delivering practical solutions that honour Country, build trust, create economic opportunities, and support long-term social and environmental wellbeing. 

GOHA’S key strengths include: 

• Building community trust by developing effective long-term relationships with landholders, neighbours and the broader community 
• Engaging meaningfully with First Nations communities by working with Indigenous organisations and enterprises 
• Identifying viable economic opportunities to create sustainable change, including project procurement and supply chain 
• Specialising in rural and remote development, and creating solutions to the challenges of land and sea transport, employment, accommodation, service delivery and cultural diversity 
• Being committed to social performance and benefit sharing, including co-designing community strategic plans 

Clients choose GOHA for their deep cultural awareness and commitment to respecting Aboriginal people’s relationship with Country. 

CONTACT 

GOHA 

Jeanie Govan 

PO Box 335 Howard Springs, NT 0835 

0499 527 406 

Dr Sharon Harwood 

PO Box 17 Maleny, Qld 4552 

0429 006 431