REFLECT Reconciliation Action Plan

On 25 February 2020, Council endorsed the preparation of a Reconciliation Action Plan to dedicate time and resources to building positive and meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and creating a shared vision for reconciliation. The RAP demonstrates the City of Burnside’s commitment to reconciliation and acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which the City is built.

As part of the process, Council established a Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (RWG) in February 2021 to oversee and govern the development and implementation of the RAP. The RWG includes representatives from the elected body, the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and Council staff. The RWG will work collaboratively to support the implementation of the City of Burnside’s first Reconciliation Action Plan. This plan is a pathway home together.

This plan has strong support from the Executive Team, Council Members and staff from across all departments, which will drive a whole-of-organisation response to successfully achieve the proposed actions. The RWG has ensured that consultation and engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders are at the centre of this plan, which includes identifying resources required.

In recent years, there has been ongoing engagement of Council with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members. These collaborations are still new and the Council is continually learning about the City’s heritage. This plan is effectively the beginning of the City of Burnside’s reconciliation journey. For our workplace and the Burnside community, we hope that this plan will turn positive intentions into action, building trust and respect, and increase understanding between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous people.

Artwork: Nguyanguya Muri by Allan Sumner and Sarah Bates of Aboriginal Contemporary Arts Studios 2023.

REFLECT Reconciliation Action Plan