Surf Coast Shire Council is strengthening its commitment to reconciliation by mobilising the delivery of specific actions.
Council adopted the first theme of the Reconciliation Action Plan, Reflect, during its November 28 meeting to support First Nations people.
Mayor Liz Pattison said the plan’s endorsement represented a milestone for the Surf Coast and looked forward to the next stage in a year of the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.
“The Reflect plan was intended to be presented to Council in 2022 but following consultation with Traditional Owners it was decided to pause the process,” she said.
“This will enable us to engage in more deep listening and strengthen existing and new relationships with Traditional Owners and First Nations people.”
Councillor Paul Barker said he supported an “inclusive society of shared values”, but council was focusing on the wrong topics.
“We here in council should be focussed on looking after the roads, both sealed and unsealed, dealing with rubbish well and reducing rates at every available opportunity,” he said.
“What your race, religion, socio-economic status, sex, gender, marital status or political preferences are should not change how you are treated by any government.”
There are 17 actions across the themes of Relationships, Respect, opportunities and Governance, achievable through existing resources, budget allocations and timeframes.
Council committed to First Nations Reconciliation and the Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan’s development in May 2021 and decided not to participate in January 26 celebratory events each year.
The plan was developed through consultation with Traditional Owners from the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation and the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
It included engagement with First Nations people in the community and received conditional endorsement from Reconciliation Australia.
