Update - May 2022

Reflect, Reconciliation Action Plan is now complete and can be found on Council's website

Update - February 2022

Reflect, Reconciliation Action Plan was adopted by Council on 23 February 22, you can read the agenda and minutes here.

The plan is currently the process of formal design and formatting and this final version will be made publicly available on our website soon. The plan will also be posted on Reconciliation Australia's website.

We have drafted our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), a commitment in Bayside Council’s 2018-2021 Delivery Program & subsequent Operational Plans.

To begin our journey we partnered with Reconciliation Australia, a statutory body put in place under The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Act 1991. Reconciliation Australia provide guidance, a framework and a governance process for Council and all organisations to develop a RAP.

What is Reconciliation?

"At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians"

Reconciliation Australia

What is a Reconciliation Action Plan?

Reconciliation Action Plans help organisations turn good intentions into positive actions, helping to build higher trust, lower prejudice, and increased pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. A RAP is a strategic document that supports our Community Strategic Plan, Bayside 2030. The RAP includes practical actions that will drive our contribution to reconciliation, internally and in the community.

What we hope to achieve

What's happening now?

The RAP framework set out by Reconciliation Australia has four stages. The stages run consecutively with each stage operational for approximately two years and evolving to the next stage. This framework provides a structured approach to advance reconciliation. The stages are: Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate. Each type of RAP is designed to suit an organisation at different stages of their reconciliation journey.

Bayside Council is at the first stage Reflect. We have worked with the community and staff to create our first draft RAP and now we would like to hear from you . Click here to review our first draft RAP.

Have your say

Have a Yarn If you would like to discuss the draft RAP please phone, Sherie Skaines, Coordinator, Community Capacity Building on 9366 3680.

Attend one of two small online workshops (6 people), select either the 28 October 2021 at 10am or 4 November 2021 at 2pm - email Sherie to RSVP sherie.skaines@bayside.nsw.gov.au

Online or Mail you can provide feedback on our first draft RAP via:

• Online: using the feedback form below
• In writing: RAP, PO Box 21, Rockdale
• For a free interpreter call us via TIS National on 131 450
• If you have a hearing or speech impairment contact us via the National Relay Service:
  Voice Relay number: 1300 555 727
  TTY number: 133 677
  SMS relay number: 0423 677 767
  

Need a hard copy?

If you prefer to discuss the project with Council staff or know someone who would like to input but does not have access to a computer, please click here for contact details and/or an Engagement Kit which includes a project information sheet, contact details and a hard copy of the survey.

What Happens Next ?

Following engagement your feedback will inform the final RAP which will then be updated and submitted to Reconciliation Australia for final endorsement it will then proceed to Council for adoption.

COVID-19 Information

Due to COVID 19 government restrictions, we are still restricting face to face community engagement at this stage, however we need to continue to operate and strive to achieve our goals and actions in our Community Strategic Plan. We have extended the engagement period with hope that we will be able to meet face to face toward the end of the exhibition period.

Acknowledgement to Country

Bayside Council acknowledges the traditional custodians: the Gadigal/Bidjigal people of the Eora Nation. Their spirits and ancestors will always remain with our waterways and the land our Mother Earth.