A new Aboriginal reference group could seek members very soon if councillors accept a report when they meet on Tuesday night.
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As part of the 2018/2019 action item 1.3.1 of the Delivery Program 2018-2021, council are required to ‘implement the recommendations from the adopted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Framework to raise awareness and celebrate local indigenous heritage including the establishment of a reference group’.
A council document said: “the establishment of a reference group will enable Aboriginal people to be involved in the planning and decision-making at the local government level”.
“Research has been undertaken into the establishment and operations of Aboriginal Reference Groups and Advisory Committees within the Hunter region.”
The investigation was one of the five key recommendations of the ‘Discussion Paper: Strengthening Relationships with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities’ noted by Council in June 2017.
The roles of the reference group include acting as a conduit between council and the broader Aboriginal community, ensuring communication with key representatives of the local Aboriginal community and providing information, guidance and strategic advice.
As part of the report, council officers recommended that “council approve the commencement of an expressions of interest process to establish an Aboriginal Reference Group.”
It also pushed council to nominated two councillors to be part of the reference group for the remainder of the council term.
The report said council was “ready” to move to the expression of interest process to source membership for the group.
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