MOREE Plains Shire Council resolved at its February 20 ordinary council meeting to place the Draft Reconciliation Action Plan on public exhibition for a period of 28 days.
Council invites Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community members to submit comments and opinions.
Moree Plains Shire Council said it is committed to taking meaningful action to advance reconciliation. To support this undertaking, as outlined in Council’s Community Strategic Plan 2032 and Operational Plan 2024-2025 a Reconciliation Action Plan has been developed.
The process of developing a RAP is backed by a nationally recognised framework, administered by Reconciliation Australia.
Through the use of this framework, Council will identify actions, timelines, responsibilities and targets in three key areas: relationships, respect and opportunities.
Moree Plains Shire mayor Susannah Pearse many organisations and councils have reconciliation action plans.
“As a shire with more than 20 per cent of our residents identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, it is important our council has a meaningful plan in place,” Cr Pearse said.
“The plan needs to accurately reflect the desires of our community and our council team in terms of building respect, relationships and opportunities for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and staff, and we need your help to make sure what we commit to is right.”
The Reconciliation Australia framework recognises different organisations are at different stages of reconciliation journeys, with RAPs falling into four progressive categories: Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate.
Eilah Porter on the cover of Moree Plains Shire Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
Council said the 2025-2028 plan is innovative, and builds on the foundations of Council’s earlier plans and achievements.
It focuses on actions, strengthening relationships and piloting strategies for further reconciliation commitments and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Draft RAP is Council’s formal commitment to reconciliation, providing a pathway to improvement and real change within the organisation and potentially acting as an example for the community.
A hard copy of the policy is available from Council’s customer service centre in Moree, Moree Community Library and the Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre.
Feedback and comments are welcome and can be submitted to the General Manager, Moree Plains Shire Council, PO Box 420, Moree NSW 2400.
Comments can also be submitted to Council by email to council@mpsc.nsw.gov.au by 6 April 2025.
Further enquiries in relation to the Reconciliation Action Plan should be directed to Alisa Akins on (02) 6757 3222.
Moree RAP here: Draft Reconciliation Action Plan
More information on RAPs: HERE
