reconciliation action plan - progress report

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Agenda – Community, Sport, Events and Cultural Services Committee 10 February 2021 - #6558677

COMMUNITY, SPORT, EVENTS AND CULTURAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

10 FEBRUARY 2021

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RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN - PROGRESS REPORT Ray Rosendale | 52/2/5-01 | #6571544v5

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that Council notes Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan Innovate - Progress Report February 2021 and the ongoing organisational commitment to progressing reconciliation. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

This report provides a summary of Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Innovate – Progress Report, highlighting key initiatives, outcomes and challenges during the first year of implementation of the two-year plan. BACKGROUND:

Council’s RAP Innovate (Oct 2019 – Sept 2021) was developed in close consultation with Council’s First Peoples Advisory Committee (FPAC) and was officially endorsed by Council and Reconciliation Australia in July 2019. The RAP outlines Council’s organisational commitment to the reconciliation process and defines appropriate actions and deliverables under the five dimensions of reconciliation. Implementation is driven and monitored by a RAP working group made up of representatives of business units across Council and the FPAC. The RAP Innovate – Progress Report 2021 is the first time that Council has publicly reported its progress against RAP deliverables to Council and Reconciliation Australia. COMMENT:

In addition to the areas highlighted below, the report provides progress updates and the current status of each deliverable committed to in Council’s RAP. The report indicates that implementation is tracking well, with over 66% of the required deliverables already meeting or surpassing the specified requirements described within the RAP. This is an outstanding achievement considering the impact of COVID-19 on Council operations during the current RAP term. It is anticipated that the 8% of deliverables yet to be commenced will be prioritised by the RAP working group early in 2021. Key Highlights NAIDOC Week 2020 Historically, NAIDOC Week is held across Australia in July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In 2020, NAIDOC Week was postponed to 8 - 15 November due to COVID-19. With many of the regions signature NAIDOC activities cancelled due to limitations on public gatherings, NAIDOC

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2020 provided a unique opportunity for Council to focus on providing meaningful opportunities for Council staff and elected members to engage with NAIDOC and the 2020 national theme “Always Was, Always Will Be”. Specifically, staff and elected members were invited to participate by wearing their Council NAIDOC polo shirts, participating in a Wall of Hands activity at Council’s administration building and familiarise themselves once again with Council's RAP. Strong participation in NAIDOC Week 2020 demonstrated the willingness of council officers to understand, engage with and meaningfully discuss the importance of NAIDOC and reconciliation openly in a respectful and mature manner. In addition, Council acknowledged NAIDOC Week in a formal meeting of Council for the first time. Held in the Council Chambers, the proceedings involved a Welcome to Country ceremony performed by Gimuy Walubara Yidinji and Yirrganydji Traditional Owners, as well as a speech from Daniel Rosendale, a local Kuku Yalanji and Gugu Yimithir man and recipient of the Young Citizen Australia Day Award 2020, about how this year’s NAIDOC theme resonated with him as a young Indigenous person who calls Cairns home. A significant first for Council, this initiative was well received by elected members, staff and members of the public present. Council NAIDOC Uniform Polo Shirt The inclusion of a polo in Council’s corporate uniform which featured a design from a local Indigenous artist was an initiative of the RAP Working Group. Council engaged clothing supplier Bundarra who worked with local artist, Robert Levi, to design the artwork ‘Rock Heart’ for the Council polo. Robert is a Cairns local who was born in the Torres Strait, and has lived in many mainland Aboriginal communities. Approximately one fifth of the workforce purchased polos. The polos aim to continue the conversation in the workplace, the community, and with family and friends about reconciliation. Trainee/Apprentices Program Council recognises the importance of providing training and employment opportunities in the reconciliation journey. Council’s trainee and apprenticeship program is supported through funding such as the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) initiative and provides a valuable pathway to developing the future workforce and emerging future regional leaders, whilst contributing to reducing unemployment rates in the region. Council continues to engage with employment agencies and advocacy groups, such as Clontarf, to promote opportunities for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by providing work experience opportunities, targeted promotions and support navigating the application process. Council’s current SQW traineeship program places trainees in the organisation for 6 to 24 months within the areas of business administration, horticulture, civil construction and warehousing and logistics. The most recent recruitment drive for six new trainees in September 2020 resulted in the appointment of two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees in the areas of finance and water and waste. The First Peoples Advisory Committee The First Peoples Advisory Committee (FPAC) is a key deliverable of the RAP and one of the important ways that Council engages and consults with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Re-established via an Expression of Interest process in October 2020, FPAC plays a key role in providing comment, feedback and direction on RAP development and implementation. In addition, FPAC provides commentary on

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broader issues relating to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities, working to enhance opportunities for participation and collaboration between local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and Council. OPTIONS:

Option 1: (Recommended) It is recommended that Council notes Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan Innovate - Progress Report February 2021 and the ongoing organisational commitment to progressing reconciliation. Option 2: That Council seeks additional clarification or information. CONSIDERATIONS:

Council Finance and the Local Economy:

Provision is made within the Community Services operational budget to cover direct and indirect materials, services, and employee costs associated with implementation of the RAP. Corporate and Operational Plans:

The undertakings of the RAP are consistent with Council’s Corporate Plan 2017-2022 Strategic Goal: Community and Culture: A vibrant, inclusive and healthy community with access to services and facilities, which reflects its unique character, roles, and needs. Policy:

Cairns Regional Council Reconciliation Action Plan - Innovate 2018-2020 First Peoples Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference General Policy CONSULTATION:

The First Peoples Advisory Committee (FPAC) were engaged and consulted in the development of Council’s RAP 2019-2021 and are regularly updated on the status of the RAP implementation. Members of the FPAC are active and integral members of the RAP Working Group (RAPWG) and attend all RAPWG meetings. The RAP Progress Report will be published on Council’s website.

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ATTACHMENTS:

1. Cairns Regional Council Reconciliation Action Plan Innovate 2019-2021 - Progress Report (February 2021) #6578401.

Brett Spencer Manager Community Development

Stephen Foster A/General Manager Community, Sport and Cultural Services

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Cairns Regional Council Reconciliation Action Plan Innovate 2019-2021 - Progress Report (February 2021) #6578401

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reconciliation action plan - progress report

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