Community
7 August, 2024
Vital Indigenous input
TWO Far Northern councils are establishing First Nations peoples’ advisory committees.
Cairns Regional Council will reestablish its advisory group following the dissolution of the previous committee and after deputy mayor Cr Brett Olds admitted it “wasn’t working very well”.
Cassowary Coast Mayor Teresa Millwood said their initiative was a cornerstone of the council’s 2023-2025 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
“Through this committee we’re furthering our dedication to understanding, respecting, and bridging the equity gap between Australia’s First Peoples and all Australians,” she said,
“The committee will operate under the guiding principles of our Innovate RAP, which focuses on building relationships, acknowledging cultural practices, and fostering a diverse, inclusive community connected to culture and country.”
Applications for membership to the advisory committee are being invited. For more details on the terms of reference and how to apply for membership visit https://bit.ly/4frTz3C or phone the council on 1300 763 903. Applications close on Friday, August 30.
Cairns Regional Council will closely monitor its new committee which will guide policy, procedures and projects relevant to First Nations peoples and give recommendations on the council’s delayed Reconciliation Action Plan.
Division 2 Councillor Matthew Tickner said he wanted key performance indicators (KPI) as part of the new group.
“I think there were a lot of issues with relevant information going through the meeting, or was it just a meeting to have a meeting?,” he said.
“I’m vehemently against ‘nice to haves’, so I really want to see some strong KPIs come out of this new group,” he said.
Cr Olds said “the old way wasn’t working very well … this has been a tough topic for a while. I think there should be KPIs. I think just putting people on the committee because of the colour of their skin is not the way to go about it”.
Former advisory group member and division 4 Councillor Trevor Tim, who is the council’s only Indigenous councillor, said the new group was a strong step forward and “we should be leading from the front”
Expressions of interest will be called soon.
