Draft Reconciliation Action Plan 2018-20 - … · Local Land Services Draft for Consultation...

Draft Reconciliation Action Plan 2018-20

Local Land Services

Local Land Services Draft for Consultation Reconciliation Action Plan 2018-20 1

ContentsOur vision for reconciliation ...................................................................................................................3

Our business ............................................................................................................................................... 4

Our RAP .........................................................................................................................................................5

Enriching relationships ............................................................................................................................ 6

Enhancing respect .....................................................................................................................................8

Creating opportunities ...........................................................................................................................10

Preserving our past ................................................................................................................................. 12

Tracking progress and reporting ........................................................................................................ 15

2 Local Land Services Draft for Consultation Reconciliation Action Plan 2018-20

Our vision for reconciliation is to work collaboratively with Aboriginal people to help protect and strengthen Aboriginal cultural heritage, share traditional land management knowledge and care for Country.

We acknowledge that Aboriginal people are the traditional owners of Australia and have practiced sustainable natural resource management and cared for flora, fauna and biodiversity.

We appreciate that in New South Wales numerous Aboriginal nations have an ongoing responsibility to respect and protect their cultures and maintain strong social, spiritual and cultural connections with their Country.

Local Land Services is committed to advancing reconciliation by fostering meaningful partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders that are focussed on embracing diversity, enhancing respect and providing equitable opportunities for our diverse Aboriginal communities across NSW.

(The 2011 Census shows that 208,364 Aboriginal people live in New South Wales - this is 31 per cent of the Australian Aboriginal population. In NSW, 95 per cent of Aboriginal people live in regional areas or major cities - unlike any other part of Australia.)

Please note that all references to Aboriginal people throughout this document refer to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Our vision for reconciliation


Our businessNew South Wales Local Land Services is a statewide organisation offering integrated services delivered regionally and tailored for each community, industry and landscape.

We connect people with groups, information, support and funding to improve agricultural productivity and better manage our natural resources and protect cultural heritage on country.

Local Land Services has more than 800 staff working across 11 regions in NSW, including 18 Aboriginal staff.

The Local Land Services State Strategic Plan guides our work with land managers, Aboriginal traditional owners and the wider community to realise our shared vision for 'resilient communities in productive healthy landscapes’ and our strategic goals for:

• resilient, self-reliant and prepared local communities• biosecure, profitable, productive and sustainable primary industries• healthy, diverse and connected natural environments• board members and staff who are collaborative, innovative and commercially-focused.This RAP also helps guide the efforts of our senior executive team, our staff and our growing regional network of Aboriginal Community Advisory Groups to implement our key strategy to “Deliver services that support Aboriginal people to care for Country and share traditional land management knowledge”.

Our collaboration with the Aboriginal Community Advisory Groups has resulted in a greater appreciation of how traditional land management and awareness for conserving local cultural heritage values on-Country, can help people make better decisions about the land they manage and the range of activities they undertake on-country to be profitable and sustainable into the future.


Our RAPLocal Land Services acknowledges Aboriginal peoples’ rich contribution and connection to the land, history, heritage and culture of all regions across NSW.

This is our first Reconciliation Action Plan and it will be a solid foundation for our ongoing commitment to support local Aboriginal community organisations, programs, events, and the adoption of respectful protocols.

Over the next two years, our RAP we will help us focus our efforts on building capacity to work with the community to improve primary production and better manage natural resources. Whilst supporting and promoting reconciliation for communities across NSW.

A RAP Steering Committee will oversee and report on the implementation and impact of our RAP for the duration of this plan and will consist of:

• State Operations Unit

• Aboriginal staff

• NSW Aboriginal Land Council

• Office of Environment & Heritage

• Australian Government.


Enriching relationshipsMeaningful relationships assist Local Land Services to respond to the aspirations of local Aboriginal communities in all regions.

Focus area

Acknowledging and working with local traditional owner groups, Local Aboriginal Land Councils and the broader Aboriginal community to strengthen and enhance relationships, increase community involvement in Local Land Services activities, and partner with community groups and organisations to celebrate important cultural anniversaries.

Enduring commitments

• A “Reconciliation Statement” to formalise our shared vision and guiding principles for reconciliation.

• A RAP Steering Group to monitor progress and impacts of the RAP on progressing reconciliation for Aboriginal people.

• An informed organisation that is well placed regionally to create opportunities and partner with key stakeholder groups to help progress reconciliation with local communities on-country.

• Formal arrangements/partnerships established with local reconciliation groups, Aboriginal groups and other key stakeholder groups in all regions to promote and support National Reconciliation Week events and initiatives.

• Protocols to support respectful relationships and provisions for all new publications to include an acknowledgement of Country.


Enriching relationshipsAction Measurable targets Responsibility Timeframe

1. Establish and convene a RAP Steering Committee

• Senior executive team will endorse terms of reference and assume responsibility for chairing the RAP Steering Committee. Senior executive team May 2018

• Form a RAP Steering Committee comprising representation from State Operations unit, Aboriginal staff within our organisation and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Office of Environment and Heritage and the Australian Government.

• RAP Steering Committee to meet a minimum of three times per year.

RAP Steering Committee

Commencing July 2018

2. Build relationships with the local community to further reconciliation

• The Local Land Services Board to develop and endorse “Reconciliation Statement” to formalise our shared vision and guiding principles for reconciliation.

Local Land Services Board November 2017

• Develop a statewide Aboriginal community engagement framework, including regional Aboriginal engagement plans that are inclusive of cultural protocols for engaging with Aboriginal people.

Aboriginal Programs Coordinator Senior executive team

June 2018

• All regions or relevant business areas to investigate and action suitable opportunities for community capacity building, partnerships and joint ventures with the Aboriginal communities to further reconciliation.

General managers and directors Ongoing

3. Participate in and celebrate National Reconciliation Week (NRW)

• Each region to organise a National Reconciliation Week event partnering with external reconciliation groups, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and other key stakeholders for staff to recognise, promote and celebrate National Reconciliation Week for local communities.

• Register our National Reconciliation Week events via Reconciliation Australia’s NRW website.• Promote significant dates and events on the Department of Industry Aboriginal Support Network Intranet page and our Local

Land Services RAP Information hub on-line.

General managers

Aboriginal Programs Coordinator

Annually (27 May-3 June)

4. Raise awareness of our organisation’s reconciliation commitments

• Ensure our staff and key stakeholder groups are informed of our RAP commitments and have access to copies of the RAP and progress reports through our RAP Information Hub online.

• Identify opportunities to highlight Local Land Services’ RAP achievements through media outputs and more broadly within the community

• Each Region to incorporate cultural protocols such as acknowledgement of country and official Welcome to Country for formal gatherings.

• Promote the significance of local Aboriginal history and cultures in new publications, e.g. strategies and plans.

Director Corporate OperationsAboriginal Programs CoordinatorGeneral managers

Ongoing


Enhancing respectRespect for Aboriginal communities enhances relationships, embraces diversity and promotes harmony.

Focus area

Acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, increasing community awareness and promoting reconciliation.


• Cultural awareness training for all staff to support implementation of the RAP.

• Local Land Services’ buildings, workplaces to display acknowledgement of Country plagues and local Indigenous works of art.

• Permanently display the Aboriginal flags in Local Land Services’ main regional office reception areas.

• Maintain the RAP information hub to provide up to date information for Local Land Services staff regarding the RAP, and related information surrounding protocols, procedures, training opportunities, dates of significance and events.

• Support reconciliation related programs and events on significant days in partnership with local reconciliation and Aboriginal community organisations to promote, acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal cultures.


Enhancing respectAction Measurable targets Responsibility Timeframe

5. Investigate and deliver Aboriginal cultural learning and development

• Investigate options to deliver an integrated online cultural awareness training program to support implementation of the RAP for our organisation: • 200 employees and board members to complete online training program by December 2018.

Aboriginal Programs Coordinator December 2018

6. Participate in and celebrate NAIDOC Week and other dates of significance

• Each region to display the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and participate in NAIDOC Week event/s to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the local Aboriginal community. Senior executive

teamAboriginal Programs CoordinatorGeneral managers

Annually (from 1st Sunday in July)

• Provide opportunities and support our staff to participate in local NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week events (eg morning tea with guest speakers from community).

• Where appropriate promote Local Land Services reconciliation commitments, achievements, related programs and services at major community events including NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week event/s.

• Recognise and promote Aboriginal dates of significance on the RAP information hub and Aboriginal support network. Ongoing

7. Ensure respectful practices of Aboriginal cultural protocols

• Review existing cultural protocol documents and resources. General managers March 2019• Each region to promote internally processes and resources to support welcome to Country and acknowledgement of

Country practices, including: • lists of key contacts for organising a welcome to Country and maintaining respectful partnerships• arrangements for acknowledgement of Country to be conducted at:

- all public meetings/events conducted by Local Land Services- internal Local Land Services committee meetings- Local Land Services-led formal events and presentations.

• Welcome to Country incorporated into significant Local Land Services-run events including NRW and NAIDOC events.

Aboriginal Programs Coordinator

Ongoing

• Create and display prominently an acknowledgement of Country plaque at all Local Land Services’ regional offices. December 2018

8. Incorporate Aboriginal artwork/s into our workplaces and corporate branding

• Engage an Aboriginal graphic design group to create/adapt suitable artwork/s into graphic design options for future corporate/regional branding of Local Land Services services/programs for Aboriginal people.

Director Corporate Operations November 2018

• Regional offices to publicly display at least one Aboriginal cultural work of art that is significant to the local Aboriginal community in their regions. General managers November 2018


Creating opportunitiesProviding equitable opportunities for Aboriginal communities to support Local Land Services’ commitment to providing opportunities for Aboriginal people to help protect and strengthen Aboriginal cultural heritage conservation, share traditional land management knowledge and care for Country.

Focus area

Employment and retention of Aboriginal staff, identifying opportunities for supplier diversity at Local Land Services and working with traditional owners and the broader community to progress reconciliation through better management of the impacts of productive land use to conserve and protect the environment and Aboriginal cultural heritage values on-Country.


• Local Land Services regional staff work closely with local Aboriginal traditional owners and community organisations to support and deliver programs and events aimed at promoting reconciliation in each region.

• A more culturally competent workforce and initiatives to support increased retention and participation of Aboriginal staff at all levels within our organisation.

• Local Land Services’ provides opportunities for engaging local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander owned businesses.


Creating opportunitiesAction Measurable targets Responsibility Timeframe

9. Investigate opportunities to improve and increase Aboriginal employment outcomes through implementation of NSW Public Sector Commission Aboriginal Employment Strategy and Department of Industry Aboriginal Employment and Inclusion Plan

Required:• Collect information on our current Aboriginal staff to inform future employment opportunities.• Develop and implement an Aboriginal employment and retention strategy.• Engage with existing Aboriginal staff to consult on employment strategies, including professional development.• All vacancies which are identified under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 to be advertised in Aboriginal media.• Review human resources and recruitment procedures and policies to ensure there are no barriers to Aboriginal employees

and future applicants participating in our workplace.Optional: • Develop an Aboriginal professional development strategy.• Include Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander representation on recruitment and selection panels.• Include in all job advertisements, ‘Aboriginal people are encouraged to apply.’• Engage with external Aboriginal peoples and/or consultants to advise on recruitment, employment and retention strategies,

including professional development.• Develop and implement Aboriginal employment pathways (e.g. traineeships or internships).

Director People, Learning and Culture December 2018

10. Investigate Aboriginal supplier diversity and promote the Department of Industry Procurement Policy which encourages social procurement

Required:• Review and update procurement policies and procedures to ensure there are no barriers for procuring goods and services

from Aboriginal businesses.• Develop and communicate to staff a list of Aboriginal businesses that can be used to procure goods and services.• Develop at least one commercial relationship with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander owned business.• Continue to utilise Supply Nation membershipOptional:• Develop and pilot an Aboriginal procurement strategy.• Investigate opportunities to partner with your local Indigenous Chamber of Commerce.

Procurement and contracts September 2018

11. Include other unique opportunities actions related to your core business and vision for reconciliation.

Suggestions: • Encourage participation in the cultural mentoring network through People, Learning & Culture for existing staff and

managers.• Support Aboriginal leadership.

12. Increase staff commitment• All professional development plans to include requirement for each individual to commit to engaging in cultural heritage – eg:

I understand that Cultural Heritage is a core part of our business and I commit to engaging in Cultural Heritage awareness and activities.

Senior executive team

December 2017100% of staff have this included in their PDPs


Preserving our pastEnsuring on-ground activities and future projects are aimed at preserving our past for the future and provide protection of Aboriginal objects and places


• Local Land Services staff are committed to identifying and protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage.

• Local Land Services has a responsibility to communicate, consult and engage with the Aboriginal community.

• Increased awareness of how traditional land management knowledge and Aboriginal cultural heritage management can help protect our landscapes and environments.


Preserving our pastAction Measurable targets Responsibility Timeframe

13. Due diligence codes of practice for Local Land Services staff undertaking on-ground activities

• Develop due diligence policy in line with cultural heritage legislative reform.Aboriginal Programs Coordinator

December 2017• All staff to adhere to the Cultural Heritage Assessment and Due Diligence Policy and relevant legislation and to be familiar with how due diligence influences their daily activities.

• Cultural heritage considerations are to be embedded in all project planning and overarching strategic documents. June 2018

14. Continue on-ground initiatives • Continue to support Aboriginal programs through on-ground funding initiatives and collaboration. (eg..traditional burns and cultural heritage surveys) .

Aboriginal Programs Coordinator Ongoing

15. Promoting traditional land management knowledge and Aboriginal cultural heritage conservation

• Regions to support an annual field day or similar event for local Aboriginal traditional owners and other land managers to promote and showcase traditional land management knowledge and Aboriginal cultural heritage management strategies. Regional

management teams August 2018• Annual field days to be planned in collaboration with Aboriginal Community Advisory Groups in each region.


Tracking progress and reportingAction Measurable targets Responsibility Timeframe

16. Publicly report on the annual activities of the RAP

• Summary of the RAP outcomes to be made available to the public. • Conduct at least one learning circle per annum per business unit.

RAP Steering CommitteeAboriginal Programs Coordinator

Annually

17. Report RAP annual progress to Reconciliation Australia

• Complete the annual RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire, to be submitted to Reconciliation Australia and made available to Local Land Services and staff.


Annually

18. Review, refresh and update RAP

Required:• Liaise with Reconciliation Australia to develop a new RAP based on learnings, challenges and achievements.• Send draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for review and feedback.• Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for formal endorsement.


Six months prior to RAP expiry date


Draft Reconciliation Action Plan 2018-20 - … · Local Land Services Draft for Consultation...

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