Surf Coast Shire Council has taken another meaningful step on its journey towards Reconciliation with endorsement of its milestone Reflect – Reconciliation Action Plan.
Council resolved at its November meeting at Aireys Inlet to adopt the plan, strengthening its tangible commitment to Reconciliation and mobilising delivery of specific actions from many Council divisions.
The plan has been nurtured through consultation with Traditional Owners from the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation and the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, and engagement with First Nations people in the community. The plan has also received conditional endorsement from Reconciliation Australia.
Mayor Liz Pattison said Council's endorsement of its first Reconciliation Action Plan represented a profound milestone.
"We are deeply proud to have reached this point, excited to implement its actions and look forward to working towards our next stage, the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan in 12 months," Cr Pattison said.
"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 to enable us to engage in more deep listening and strengthen existing and new relationships with Traditional Owners and First Nations people.
"We are proud of having chosen this course and demonstrated willingness to reflect on our journey, deeply listen and learn more. Importantly it prioritised people over process, taking the time to deepen our understanding."
The Respect Reconciliation Action Plan includes a total of 17 actions across the themes of Relationships, Respect, Opportunities and Governance. The actions are achievable within existing resourcing, budget allocations and timeframes.
Council formally committed to First Nations Reconciliation and the development of the Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan in May 2021, also resolving to no longer participate in celebratory events on 26 January each year, and to fly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags at half-mast outside Torquay Civic Centre on that date.
