This latest document comes seven years after Queanbeyan Council adopted a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
A national body has endorsed a regional council’s “ambitious but achievable” pathway towards reconciliation.
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council’s (QPRC) Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for 2026/27 has been formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.
Mayor Kenrick Winchester welcomed the news.
“The endorsement of our Innovate RAP by Reconciliation Australia is a step in our ongoing reconciliation journey,” he said.
“This RAP focuses on developing and strengthening relationships with First Nations peoples, engaging staff and stakeholders in reconciliation, and developing and piloting innovative strategies to empower First Nations peoples.”
Reconciliation Australia provides four frameworks for different RAP types (Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate), with QPRC launching its Reflect RAP in 2019.
“Each type of RAP is designed to suit an organisation at different stages of their reconciliation journey,” Reconciliation Australia’s website states.
Commitments within an Innovate RAP are implemented within two years.
According to the document, QPRC plans to create a RAP Working Group (RWG) that would guide the plan’s governance.
This group would meet at least four times a year and track how the commitments are being followed.
The council also pledges to start developing its next RAP in early 2027.
In the meantime, the RAP states that QPRC plans to develop a cultural protocol document, amend the council’s official email signature to one that recognises First Nations people, and (in consultation with Traditional Owners) investigate adding an acknowledgement of Traditional Owners to entry signs.
Other commitments include providing further cultural awareness training to council staff, and the region’s visitor guides being reviewed to ensure they include First Nations histories and events.
The action plan’s commitments are expected to be implemented over the next two years. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The council has also flagged several actions to improve professional opportunities for First Nations residents and businesses and grow economic self-determination.
These include developing commercial relationships with First Nation-owned businesses and ensuring job vacancies are effectively advertised to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.
Procurement of First Nations businesses and services is also set to be reported annually.
The document outlines ways in which the council plans to support First Nations artists: expanding the inclusion of First Nations content in Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre programming, continuing art award categories for First Nations artists, and including diverse cultures and perspectives when developing cultural policy.
Mayor Winchester said the council remained committed to reconciliation.
“Reconciliation is important for our community and for us as a council,” he said.
“As we continue our path towards reconciliation, we hope that this RAP will be an ambitious but achievable guide for us over the next couple of years.
“Council celebrates the diversity and cultures of First Nations peoples in Queanbeyan-Palerang and we value the significant contributions of First Nations peoples to our community.”
A statement from Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine is also included in the document.
“With over 5.5 million people now either working or studying in an organisation with a RAP, the program’s potential for impact is greater than ever … Implementing an Innovate RAP signals QPRC’s readiness to develop and strengthen relationships, engage staff and stakeholders in reconciliation, and pilot innovative strategies to ensure effective outcomes,” she wrote.
Queanbeyan Council’s Innovate RAP can be downloaded from the council’s website or by searching Reconciliation Australia’s website.
