Introduction

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members are invited to help shape Georges River Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Draft Strategy.

Council is committed to ensuring the Strategy truly represents the needs and aspirations of the Georges River region’s Traditional Owners as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live and work in the Georges River area or have connections to the area. Your input will help us to create a more inclusive and equitable community.

Background

This milestone Strategy project was initiated in response to a Council resolution in November 2020 which addressed the need for Council to acknowledge and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage in the Georges River area. The report was underpinned by consultation with engaged stakeholders from the Georges River Council Aboriginal Reference Group, the Southern Koori Interagency, and Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation.

The Strategy aims to embed social justice principles into the way in which Council recognises, supports and engages with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Council’s Social Justice Charter 2022-2026 provides a strong foundational guide to support Council to meet this aim. We have also engaged Ngurra Advisory, a 100% owned and controlled Aboriginal consultancy business, to work with us and the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to develop the Strategy.

Draft Focus Area

Ngurra Advisory’s research and consultation so far has led to the development of four draft focus areas:

Learn	Focus: Cultural Awareness Learning, supporting, and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture Examples: cultural awareness, cultural immersion, cultural events, cultural safety
Empower	Focus: Creating opportunities and self-determination Creating meaningful opportunities to enhance the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Examples: employment opportunities, pathway programs, procurement opportunities, improving education and wellbeing outcomes
Recognise and Respect	Focus: Visibility of culture Recognising and respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their continuing connection to culture through wayfinding and creative placemaking Examples: signage, artwork, interactive experiences, storytelling
Include	Focus: Understanding and valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Including cultural protocols in policy documents, engagements, and consultation processes Examples: policy review, cultural protocols document, programming, consultation plans, engagement protocols, helpful resources/toolkits

Community Consultation:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members are invited to participate in the development of the Strategy by providing feedback and suggestions via the online feedback form below.

Alternatively, attend an online or face-to-face engagement session by contacting Council's Social Justice Project Officer Heidi Bradburn on communitycapacitybuilding@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au or 02 9330 9354.

Ngurra Advisory and Georges River Council will also be consulting directly with Traditional Owners and Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee.”

How to be involved

Help shape Georges River Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Draft Strategy. If you would like to provide feedback or comments on the draft focus areas, we encourage you to:

	Complete our online feedback form. Use the links below to submit your online feedback, or
	Return a hard copy submission.

If you are returning a hard copy submission, please quote SF22/2145 Public Submission - Council's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy at the beginning of your submission and return:

	In person to Georges River Council Civic Centre or Libraries
	Via email: mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
	Via post: PO Box 205, Hurstville BC NSW 1481

Do you need assistance reading and accessing this page?

For a free interpreter call us via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact the National Relay Service:

• Voice Relay number: 1300 555 727
• TTY number: 133 677