ADELAIDE CITY COUNCIL
2013-2014
reconciliation
action plan
Adelaide City Council
Reconciliation Action Plan 2013-2014
Our vision for reconciliation
The City of Adelaide values its culturally diverse community and is committed to extending the process of Aboriginal
reconciliation in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The six guiding principles are:
Participation, Negotiation, Communication and Public Awareness, Service Provision, Cultural Identity and Heritage
and Commemoration.
For a full version refer to the Adelaide City Council website www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/reconciliation
Our business
The City of Adelaide covers an area of 15.57 square kilometres and more than 50% of Adelaide is made up of Park
Lands. There are about 22,000 people living in the City of Adelaide and it is estimated that approximately 118,000
people work in the City of Adelaide. (Adelaide City Council Annual Report 2011/2012). Outdoor activities are enjoyed
by many in the Park Lands that surround the city, and each year, Adelaide City Council supports a wide range of
events, festivals and activities, including the Adelaide Fringe, Spirit Festival, Survival Day, National Apology, Sorry
Day and NAIDOC March and Family Fun Day.
Adelaide City Council has approximately 700 employees with 2% identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait
Islander. The city has a strong Aboriginal history with a strong and active community today. The City of Adelaide falls
within the traditional boundaries of the Kaurna peoples being the Traditional Owner and Custodians.
The elected Council and administration of the City of Adelaide performs functions and exercise powers prescribed
by the Local Government Act 1999 (SA) and other relevant legislation. Adelaide City Council also has wider
responsibilities under the City of Adelaide Act 1998 in managing the City Centre and the Park Lands on behalf of all
those who live, work and study in, or visit, the City of Adelaide. In response to city community needs, the Council
provides policy, programs and services.
Our RAP
The City of Adelaide embarked on a journey of reconciliation with its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
in 1997 when a Reconciliation Vision Statement was developed through a process of negotiation and consultation
with members of the local Aboriginal community. The process was again followed in 1998 in developing the National
Sorry Day Acknowledgement. In May 2008 Council adopted its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which
provided a framework for the implementation of Council’s Reconciliation Vision Statement and National Sorry Day
Acknowledgement.
In May 2012 Council reaffirmed its commitment with the signing of a revised Reconciliation Vision Statement and
National Sorry Day Acknowledgement.
Adelaide City Council’s RAP is developed in full consultation with the Council’s Reconciliation Committee.
Membership of the Committee includes the Lord Mayor, three Adelaide City Council members, three Aboriginal
community members, one representative from the Kaurna Nation Cultural Heritage Association and one strategic
agency representative from Reconciliation South Australia, State Government Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation
Division (AARD) of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Aboriginal Policy Coordinator Directorate,
Department of Further Education, Employment Science and Technology (DFEEST).
The RAP consolidates Council’s long standing commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples.
Relationships
Meaningful relationships assist Council to respond to the aspirations of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander communities
Focus Area
Acknowledging and working with the Traditional Owner, the Kaurna people, and
broader Aboriginal communities to strengthen relationships, increase Aboriginal
involvement in Council activities and partner with community groups and
organisations to celebrate important cultural anniversaries
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
1
City Community
Council Term
2010/2014
Quarterly meetings are convened and
quorum achieved
•A
ugust 2013
Council is provided with advice
and recommendations
Quarterly meetings of
the Adelaide City Council
Reconciliation Committee
Office of the CEO
Provide advice and
recommendations to Council
•N
ovember 2013
•F
ebruary 2014
Recommend an annual
Reconciliation Action Plan
(RAP)
2
3
Annual RAP is endorsed by Council and
registered with Reconciliation Australia
• May 2014
Involvement in Local
Government Association
Indigenous Land Use
Agreement (ILUA) negotiation
and the development of
Aboriginal Heritage protocols
as part of the Agreement
Office of the Lord
Mayor
July 2013 - June
2014
Council is represented at ILUA negotiations
Involvement in the Victoria
Square / Tarntanyangga
Regeneration Project:
Office of Major
Projects and
Initiatives
July 2013 - June
2014
Funding options investigated
Office of the CEO
Kaurna heritage protocols developed as part of
an ILUA
General Manager
for Finance and
Corporate Services
• Investigate funding
options for construction
of an Interpretive Centre –
Mullabakka
Kaurna cultural monitors have been engaged
on site
• Engage cultural monitors
4
Kaurna consultations
City Community
July 2013 - June
2014
Minimum of two consultations with Kaurna
people undertaken in response to identified
projects and issues
5
Memorial to Alice Dixon:
City Design
May 2014
Plaque installed in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga
commemorating Alice Dixon together with a new
native tree
City Community
August 2013 –
June 2014
Administration provided advice and opportunities
investigated for partnerships to deliver ideas
•P
lanting of a new native
tree in Victoria Square/
Tarntanyangga
•C
ommission a plaque
6
That the administration
provide advice on which
recommendations of the
Bringing Them Home
report relate to Local
Government with options for
Committee consideration
Adelaide City Council Reconciliation Action Plan 2013 - 2014
1
Respect
Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities creates healthy relationships, embraces
diversity and promotes harmony
Focus Area
Acknowledging the Traditional Owner of the land, flying the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander flags, increasing community awareness and participation
and promoting reconciliation
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
7
City Community
• NAIDOC Week
July 2013
Five key events have been promoted through
Council’s:
• Survival Day
January 2014
•C
ity Community Calendar
Promotion and participation
for reconciliation initiatives
and celebration for key
significant dates
Marketing and
Creative Services
City Safety and
Customer Services
8
NAIDOC Week convening
City Community
annual Lord Mayor’s Aboriginal
Office of the Lord
Flag Raising Ceremony and
Mayor and
Morning Tea
Council Liaison
• National Apology
February 2014
•C
ustomer Service Centre
•W
ebsites
• National Sorry Day
May 2014
•R
elevant publications
• National
Reconciliation
Week
May-June 2014
NRW community events have been promoted
internally to Council staff through ACC Daily
July 2013
Event convened with minimum 300 guests
in attendance
•O
ther media opportunities
Aboriginal staff at Council are issued with an
invitation to attend the event
NAIDOC community events are promoted
internally to Council staff through ACC Daily
9
Aboriginal Protocol for
Welcome to Country and
Acknowledgement of Country
ceremony is included at
significant events
City Community
City and Corporate
Governance
July 2013 - June
2014
Vibrant City
• Monthly at Council meetings
• Quarterly at Reconciliation
Committee meetings
• CEO formal events and presentations
• Minimum two major Council run events
• Minimum six major Civic receptions
10
Vibrant City
Fly both the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander flags
individually or jointly as follows: Public Realm
• Fly the Aboriginal flag
permanently in Victoria
Square / Tarntanyangga
• June 2014
• 7 - 14 July 2013
NAIDOC Week
• 27 May - 3 June
2014
National
Reconciliation
Week
• Fly the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander flags on flag
poles in Grote Street during
National Reconciliation and
NAIDOC Week
Aboriginal flag flown permanently in Victoria
Square /Tarntanyangga
20 Aboriginal and 20 Torres Strait Island flags
flown throughout National Reconciliation Week
and NAIDOC Week in Grote Street – Gateway
to the City
11
Annual Aboriginal art exhibition City Community
in the Adelaide Town Hall
Vibrant City
July 2013
A minimum of two Aboriginal artists supported to
exhibit artwork in the Town Hall annually
12
Annual exhibition of 11 story
boards depicting SA Missions
and Reserves
May 2013
Annual exhibition of SA Story Boards held in the
Customer Service Centre
2
City Community
City Safety and
Customer Services
Adelaide City Council Reconciliation Action Plan 2013 - 2014
Respect cont.
Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities creates healthy relationships, embraces
diversity and promotes harmony
Focus Area
Acknowledging the Traditional Owner of the land, flying the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander flags, increasing community awareness and participation
and promoting reconciliation
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
13
Engage Council’s staff in
culture awareness education
through the staff induction
processes
People and Culture
July 2013 - June
2014
60 staff participated in culture awareness
education to increase staff understanding of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
and history
Develop a business case,
including a community
engagement plan, to
explore the proposal to
convert the Exhibition Room
in the Town Hall into a
Reconciliation Room
City Community
August 2013 -June
2014
The Reconciliation Room is established in
consultation with community
14
City Community
Strategic Property
Management and
Development
Information and
Communication
Technology Archives
Capital Works
Opportunities
Providing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to assist Council in its goal
of being a socially inclusive city
Focus Area
Increasing the employment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
staff at the Adelaide City Council, providing financial support to community groups
and organisations and working with Kaurna and broader Aboriginal communities
to increase cultural tourism opportunities in the City
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
15
City Community
July 2013 - June
2014
Two Aboriginal trainees are employed by Council
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Employment Program
People and Culture
One Aboriginal graduate is employed by Council
Aboriginal Employee Network meet quarterly
Mentoring, training and support for Aboriginal
staff and supervisors provided
16
Council’s Diversity and
Inclusion Strategy includes
Aboriginal employment and
cultural awareness objectives
People and Culture
July 2013 - June
2014
The Aboriginal employment and cultural
awareness objectives are included in Council’s
Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
17
Investigation of a Local
Government Industry Cluster
on Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander employment
and training
People and Culture
July 2013 - June
2014
Opportunities investigated for a partnership
with the Australian and State Governments and
metropolitan Council’s
Adelaide City Council Reconciliation Action Plan 2013 - 2014
3
Opportunities cont.
Providing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to assist Council in its goal
of being a socially inclusive city
Focus Area
Increasing the employment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
staff at the Adelaide City Council, providing financial support to community groups
and organisations and working with Kaurna and broader Aboriginal communities
to increase cultural tourism opportunities in the City
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
18
Aboriginal groups and
organisations financially
supported to convene
cultural celebrations including
commemoration of Stolen
Generations, National
Reconciliation Week and
NAIDOC Week within the City
of Adelaide
City Community
July 2013 - June
2014
Minimum of six Aboriginal organisations
financially supported to convene events through
Community Development Grants Program
19
Council’s Rundle Lantern
Strategy includes Aboriginal
content
Marketing and
Creative Services
July 2013 - June
2014
Council’s Rundle Lantern Strategy includes
Aboriginal content display on a minimum of six
occasions
20
Council’s Online Web Strategy
includes community education
on reconciliation
Marketing and
Creative Services
July 2013 - June
2014
The community education on reconciliation
objectives are included in Council’s Online Web
Strategy
21
Provide digital promotional
opportunities online for
community education on
reconciliation
Marketing and
Creative Services
July 2013 - June
2014
Increase by 10% site visits to the reconciliation
web page
22
Investigate marketing
opportunities for Aboriginal
tourism in the city
Marketing and
Creative Services
July 2013 - June
2014
Aboriginal tourism in the city to be included in the
plan for marketing the city to visitors
23
Investigate options for
promotion of supplier diversity
for low value engagements
Finance and
Procurement
July 2013 - June
2014
Opportunities have been investigated to identify
promotional options for low value engagements
24
Installation of dual signage for
the City Squares
City Planning
July 2013 - June
2014
Dual naming signs installed for two of the
City Squares, explaining the Kaurna naming,
significance and history, including audio
interpretation. An unveiling event held with
residents and community
July 2013 - June
2014
Opportunities have been investigated identifying
options of location, cost and maintenance such
as signage including storytelling for existing
native gardens in the city
Capital Works
City Community
25
Sustainable City
Investigate options for the
enhancement of existing native
gardens in the city
26
Review of the Public Art
Round Table membership to
include an Aboriginal and/or
Torres Strait Islander cultural
arts expert
Vibrant City
July 2013 - June
2014
The Public Art Round Table membership includes
a person representing Aboriginal and/or Torres
Strait Islander arts
27
Engage with the campaign
to support the ‘Recognition
of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples’ in the
Commonwealth Constitution
City Community
July 2013 - June
2014
Community events have been promoted
internally to Council staff through ACC Daily
4
Adelaide City Council Reconciliation Action Plan 2013 - 2014
Tracking progress and reporting
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
28
Adelaide City
Council
July 2013
RAP included as part of Council’s Annual
Business Plan and Budget 2013/2014
August 2013
RAP available at:
Annual RAP developed by
Reconciliation Committee
in line with Council's annual
planning processes
Reconciliation
Committee
City Community
29
Adelaide City Council RAP
available to the public
City Community
Marketing, Creative
& Media
•A
delaide City Council website
•R
econciliation Australia website
City Safety and
Customer Services
30
31
Adelaide City Council
Reconciliation Committee will
report annually to Council
City Community
RAP progress reporting in
the Reconciliation Australia
RAP Impact Measurement
Questionnaire
City Community
•H
ard copy displayed in the Council’s
Customer Service Centre
May 2014
Implementation of RAP initiatives are included as
part of Reconciliation Committee annual report
to Council
June 2014
Annual RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire
is completed and report made available to
Council and staff
Adelaide
City Council
Reconciliation
Committee
Adelaide City Council Reconciliation Action Plan 2013 - 2014
5
Acknowledgment
of Country
Adelaide City Council acknowledges that we are meeting on the traditional
country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and pays respect to
Elders past and present.
We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with
the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the
Kaurna people living today.
Council also acknowledges other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
language groups in the city and works closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander communities to advance reconciliation in the city.
Adelaide City Council
Customer Service Centre
Ground Floor, Colonel Light Centre
25 Pirie Street
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Telephone 08 8203 7203
adelaidecitycouncil.com/reconciliation