Project Update - May 2023

Thank you for your feedback

We recently asked for your views on improving our reconciliation journey in Cockburn. We received input from over 150 people including Aboriginal Elders, Traditional Owners, Knowledge Holders, First Nations people, and residents from across Cockburn. This process included workshops, interviews, and a survey. Thank you for having your say.

What our community said

• Most survey respondents (47%) are unaware the City has a Reconciliation Action Plan, while only a small percentage (7%) report being well-informed about it.
• Top five ways you said the City can strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people:
  • Cultural awareness and education
  • Employment and opportunities
  • Consultation
  • Equality and inclusivity
  • Addressing racism and negative stereotypes
• Top five things you would like to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and people:
  • Language, stories, and oral history
  • About Traditional Owners and their connection to the land
  • Places of significance and their uses
  • The role of men and women within the community
  • The truth, including the mistreatment and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Top five ways you said the City could improve the reconciliation journey:
  • Increased Aboriginal representation and participation
  • Education and awareness
  • Equality and inclusivity
  • Acknowledgement
  • Community involvement

For more information read the Community Feedback Summary in the Document Library.

Next steps

Consultation has concluded. The City is reviewing the feedback from our First Nations and the broader community, which will help to inform the development of our ‘Innovate’ RAP. The RAP will benefit everyone who lives, works, and visits Cockburn by ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people achieve equality in all aspects of life.

Once the draft is ready, we will seek further feedback from several Elders, Knowledge Holders, and Traditional Owners identified through the consultation process.

We will present the draft RAP to Council for consideration and endorsement, and finally, Reconciliation Australia for final approval. When available, we will publish the approved Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2025 on the City of Cockburn website.

More information

For more information, please contact the City's Family and Community Development Team at 08 9411 3444 or [email protected].