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1.4 DEVELOPMENT OF A RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
Ward: (All Wards) (Lifespan Services) Disclosure of Interest: Nil
Authorised Officer: (Executive Manager Community Wellbeing)
KEY ISSUES
• Council at an Ordinary Council Meeting on 6 June 2018 endorsed the development of a City of Swan Reconciliation Action Plan 2018 – 2020 (RAP).
• The RAP as a key corporate document acknowledges the City’s ongoing commitment to working collaboratively with the Aboriginal communities, in particular the Wadjuk-Noongar people within the City of Swan.
• In September 2018, the RAP project team commenced with internal consultation by:
o collating information across the organisation;
o seeking nominees to actively participate on the internal RAP working group;
o registering the City’s intent to develop a RAP with Reconciliation Australia; and
o developing the Terms of Reference for the external Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group.
• The development of the City of Swan’s Reconciliation Action Plan 2018-2020 will follow the process outlined by Reconciliation Australia for development of a RAP.
It is recommended that Council endorse the Terms of Reference for the establishment of the Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group, endorse City officers to seek Expressions of Interest from interested and eligible community representatives, by way of public advertisement and appoint the Mayor and two Councillors.
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BACKGROUND
The City of Swan has a long standing commitment to working collaboratively with the Wadjuk and other Aboriginal peoples through projects such as the development of the Yagan Memorial Park and the reburial of Yagan’s Kaat; the permanent installation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at the Administration Centre; building the capacity of Traditional Owners, supporting the development of the Wadjuk Boodja Aboriginal Gateway Corporation and working in partnership with Koya for the delivery of the Kart Koort ‘n’ Hoops Program at Swan Active Midland.
More recent commitments include the City’s ongoing Aboriginal traineeship program within Construction and Maintenance and cultural training of its Councillors, Senior Management and staff.
The next step for the City is to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan, which acknowledges the City’s ongoing commitment to working collaboratively with the Wadjuk- Noongar people of the land within the City of Swan.
Council at its Ordinary Council Meeting on 6 June 2018 resolved to:
1. Endorse the development of the City of Swan Reconciliation Action Plan 2018 – 2020; and
2. Endorse the establishment of a Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group and submit a proposed Advisory Group structure and terms of reference to Council for final endorsement.
DETAILS
The Reconciliation Action Planning process developed by Reconciliation Australia in 2006, provides organisations with a framework to realise its own vision for reconciliation.
The RAP process actions include:
1. Notify Reconciliation Australia of the City’s intention to develop a RAP.
2. Form an internal working group.
3. Engage with Traditional Owners, Elders and key Aboriginal stakeholders and the broader Aboriginal community on the City’s intention to develop a RAP and who to involve ensuring equitable participation.
4. Develop an external Advisory Group, represented by Councillors and City staff to lead development of the RAP.
5. Conduct workshops with the external Advisory Group and key stakeholders.
6. Develop the RAP.
7. Seek Executive and Council endorsement.
8. Submit endorsed RAP to Reconciliation Australia.
In September 2018, the RAP project team commenced with internal consultation by:
Page 3 Developing a project charter
The project team have developed a project charter which outlines the methodology, roles and responsibilities of the internal working group, deliverables and timelines.
Collating information
The project team have been collating the current work carried out within the organisation which meets Aboriginal reconciliation goals.
Forming Internal Working Group (Maali Boodja Kaartdijin)
The project team have sent out an expression of interest to all Business Unit Managers to nominate representatives to form an internal working group. The working group is named Maali Boodja Kaartdijin, which in Noongar language translates to ‘Swan Land Knowledge’. The first working group meeting was held on 10 December 2018.
Liaison with Reconciliation Australia
Ongoing consultation has been held with Reconciliation Australia and the City’s intention to develop a RAP has been lodged with Reconciliation Australia.
Developing the Terms of Reference for the Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group The City has the intention to develop the RAP in close partnership with the Aboriginal community, which includes developing a RAP Advisory Group and other engagement opportunities.
The project team have developed a Terms of Reference (attached) with the following key objectives:
• Development of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), that includes all of Reconciliation Australia’s minimum elements for endorsement, within the context of the City of Swan’s Strategic Community Plan and core business.
• The establishment of a collaborative and consultative process for engaging community members so that they can provide ideas for the RAP and feedback on RAP draft documents to the internal working group (Maali Boodja Kaartdijin), and Council.
• Where practicable, work collaboratively with City of Swan in carrying out selected actions, to achieve specified RAP goals.
The membership of the City of Swan Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group will comprise the Mayor, two (2) Councillors, and up to six (6) Community Representatives.
All members will have full voting rights. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer can appoint up to four City Officers as ex-officio members.
CONSULTATION
Consultation will be conducted with the Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group (RAPAG) and key representatives from the Wadjuk and Indigenous community to support the development of the RAP.
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ATTACHMENTS
Terms of Reference – Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group
STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS
The Strategic Community Plan 2017 – 2027 outcomes achieved through the RAP are:
• Economic E1.1 - Actively support and develop local and new business
• Economic E3.1 - Strengthen the capacity and integration of the tourism industry
• Social S1.1 - Build service delivery options to meet the future needs of aged, youth, families and children
• Social S2.1 - Build connectivity in local areas
• Social S2.2 - Build a strong sense of community health and safety
• Governance G1.2 - Promote the City of Swan as a place to live, work and visit
• Governance G2.1 - Improve capability and capacity
• Built Environment B1.1 - Facilitate and integrate housing options, local services, employment and recreational spaces
• Built Environment B1.2 - Enhance public realm
• Natural Environment N2.1 - Enhance, preserve and protect local ecology and biodiversity of natural ecosystems
• Natural Environment N2.2 - Reduce adverse impacts on biodiversity
STATUTORY IMPLICATIONS
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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The estimated annual costs for the Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group are as follows:
1. Advertising of Advisory Group $2,000; and 2. Group meeting costs $1000
These costs will be sourced from current 2018-2019 Budget for project costs as required in developing the Reconciliation Action Plan.
Any strategies or actions committed to in the Reconciliation Action Plan will be progressed as per normal business planning and budgeting processes.
VOTING REQUIREMENTS
Simple majorityRECOMMENDATION
That the Council resolve to:1) Endorse the Terms of Reference for the establishment of the Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group.
2) Endorse City officers to seek Expressions of Interest from interested and eligible community representatives, by way of public advertisement.
3) Appoint the Mayor and Councillor and Councillor to the Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group.
Councillors Crs Kiely, McCullough, McDonnell and Scanlan nominated.
Ballot papers were distributed and Councillors were requested to select the two Councillors they wished to represent the Council.
The CEO read the votes aloud and the result of the ballot was as follows:
Cr Kiely 4 votes
Cr McCullough 6 votes Cr McDonnell 8 votes Cr Scanlan 6 votes
Page 6 MOTION that the Council resolve to:
1) Endorse the Terms of Reference for the establishment of the Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group.
2) Endorse City officers to seek Expressions of Interest from interested and eligible community representatives, by way of public advertisement.
3) Appoint the Mayor and Councillors McCullough, McDonnell and Scanlan to the Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group.
(Cr Haynes – Cr Jones)
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY TO:
1) Endorse the Terms of Reference for the establishment of the Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group.
2) Endorse City officers to seek Expressions of Interest from interested and eligible community representatives, by way of public advertisement.
3) Appoint the Mayor and Councillors McCullough, McDonnell and Scanlan to the Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group.
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RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN ADVISORY GROUP
AIM
The Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group is intended to identify issues and topics of importance in relation to the development and implementation of the City’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
OBJECTIVES OF RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN ADVISORY GROUP
The primary objective of the Advisory Group is to make recommendations and agree on actions to be taken by the City relating to:
x Development of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), that includes all of Reconciliation Australia’s minimum elements for endorsement, within the context of the City of Swan’s Strategic Community Plan and core business.
x The establishment of a collaborative and consultative process for engaging community members so that they can provide ideas for the RAP and feedback on RAP draft documents to the internal working group (Maali Boodja Kaartdijin) and Council.
x Where practicable, work collaboratively with City of Swan in carrying out selected actions, to achieve specified RAP goals.
The Advisory Group will also act upon matters referred for consideration by Council resolution.
MEMBERSHIP
Community members who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander are encouraged to apply, as are non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members who are interested/involved in reconciliation. The City will seek a diverse range of community members to ensure a broad spectrum of ideas are considered for the RAP.
The maximum number of voting members is nine (9), and the maximum number of ex-officio members is four (4).
The membership of the City of Swan Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group will comprise the Mayor, two (2) Councillors, and up to six (6) Community Representatives. All members will have full voting rights. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer can appoint up to four City Officers as ex-officio members.
Eligibility for membership as a Community Representative must include meeting one or more of the following criteria:
x Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live, work or have connections within the City of Swan
x Non-Aboriginal City of Swan residents who would like to contribute to reconciliation within the City of Swan
x Aboriginal Community Groups and other organisations supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community who have operations with the City of Swan
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Tenure of membership of the Advisory Group continues until:
a) the person no longer holds the office by virtue of which the person became a member, or
b) the person does not attend three (3) consecutive meetings, or c) the person resigns from membership of the committee, or d) the committee is disbanded.
Other City officers may also attend where necessary.
QUORUM
A minimum of five (5) voting members must be present to achieve a quorum for meetings.
MEETING FREQUENCY
Meetings will be co-chaired by the Mayor and one Aboriginal Advisory Group member.
Meetings will be convened monthly while the RAP is being developed and quarterly after the RAP is launched, to monitor progress.
AGENDA AND MINUTES
Agendas and minutes shall be prepared for each meeting. The agenda for the Advisory Group will be distributed to all members and relevant City staff, one week prior to the meeting. Minutes shall be circulated following the meeting to all Advisory Group members and relevant City staff.
Administration
Business Unit Name Officer Title Contact:
Lifespan Services Manager Lifespan Services 9278 9645
Risk Complexity
Classification Review Frequency Next Due Version Decision Reference Synopsis
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