Reconciliation Action Plan for Moreton Bay Region

A Reconciliation Action Plan will be developed by Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Councillors voted unanimously to develop and implement the plan at this week’s Council meeting, which coincided with NAIDOC Week.

Moreton Bay Region Mayor Peter Flannery says the plan is long overdue.

“Moreton Bay Region’s inaugural RAP will identify opportunities and steps that Council can take towards better recognition and active celebration of Indigenous history and culture,” Mayor Flannery says.

“It will empower our staff to lead by example in acknowledging and understanding the complexity of our nation’s history, for the benefit of everyone in Moreton Bay Region.”

Mayor Flannery says he wants the plan to be a collaborative exercise to ensure Indigenous culture, heritage, and diversity play a greater role in the social and economic future of the region.

“This will be a comprehensive exercise that I hope will be complete in time for Reconciliation Week 2021.

“It will give us enough time for staff to properly engage with key stakeholders and our local Traditional Custodians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in developing our inaugural RAP.”

Councillor Brooke Savige (Div 1) says she is delighted the council is developing and implementing a plan and it is particularly poignant the decision coincides with NAIDOC Week.

“As a proud Narungga woman I am incredibly pleased to see us going down this path,” CR Savige says.

Mayor Flannery says council has made great strides in recent years to continuing the reconciliation journey, but much more needs to be done to ensure the region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, culture and wellbeing is recognised and celebrated by Council.

“I am a believer that we stand on the shoulder of those who came before us, so by implementing a Reconciliation Action Plan we will be taking practical action for our staff to build stronger connections with our Traditional Custodians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“It will open the door for us to set a bolder agenda in the future to help support our local Indigenous communities.”

He says he is proud that at public events, Council’s general meetings, and gatherings Elders past, present and emerging were acknowledged in recognition of the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities continue to play in our country and region.

“But I believe it’s high time for us to put those words into action with a formalised plan to make the future of Moreton Bay Region better for all.”

Also coinciding with NAIDOC Week, Council released a series of videos celebrating local Indigenous languages.

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