Draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan

Consultation period: 24 June - 23 July 2025

We’ve developed a draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for 2025-2027, under the Reconciliation Australia framework.

In line with our vision of fostering an inclusive, respectful and diverse community, our draft Innovate RAP builds on the foundations laid by our first Reflect RAP.

It aims to strengthen relationships, promote respect and create opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through specific actions (pages 22-29) it will help us to:

show respect to the clans of the Dharawal language group through our day-to-day services and activities
deliver cultural events and learningContinue reading

Consultation period: 24 June - 23 July 2025

We’ve developed a draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for 2025-2027, under the Reconciliation Australia framework.

In line with our vision of fostering an inclusive, respectful and diverse community, our draft Innovate RAP builds on the foundations laid by our first Reflect RAP.

show respect to the clans of the Dharawal language group through our day-to-day services and activities
deliver cultural events and learning opportunities for residents
build meaningful partnerships with First Nations suppliers and create more job opportunities for First Nations people.

Our RAP Working Groups collaborated on the draft RAP to ensure it is genuine and impactful.

Have your say

We are now seeking your feedback to ensure the draft reflects our community's values and needs.

You can provide feedback until 23 July 2025:

Online by taking the short survey below
In person at one of our information stalls during NAIDOC week:
- Tuesday 8 July at Kirrawee Library+
  10.30-11.30am & 1pm-3pm alongside Indigenous Art Workshops (Painting & Weaving)
- Thursday 10 July at Gunnamatta Park
  10am-2pm during NAIDOC Community Festival
- Friday 11 July at Gov Hub Orana
  11am – 1pm at 3A Stapleton Avenue Sutherland
By email to communities@ssc.nsw.gov.au
In writing to Communities team, Sutherland Shire Council, Locked Bag 17, Sutherland 1499.

Next steps

Your feedback will help us to finalise this plan. We will then present it to Reconciliation Australia for endorsement.
The plan will then be launched, and its implementation will begin. We will keep the community informed on progress.

Update - Innovate RAP

Thank you for your thoughtful feedback on the Draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
All responses have been carefully considered and provided to Reconciliation Australia, who has conditionally endorsed the plan.
The finalised draft RAP is expected to be reviewed for adoption by Councillors at our February 2026 Council meeting (next month).
Feedback highlighted the importance of having clearly identifiable deliverables and robust measures to increase accountability and ensure progress. In response, we are developing an operational document that outlines measurable actions to support the RAP's broader goals. This will be an internal document, co-developed with input from the RAP Working Groups and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group.
The format and content of the Draft Innovate RAP are prescribed by Reconciliation Australia, limiting the extent of changes Council is able to make.
We will keep our community updated on progress and look forward to incorporating your insights as we continue our journey of reconciliation.
Consultation results available

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.
All feedback received will help shape the final plan, which will be reported to Reconciliation Australia for review and endorsement, and then Council for adoption in the coming months.
Read the consultation summary here or click the image below.
Council staff spoke with more than 100 people in-person during NAIDOC week. We received 27 online survey responses, 3 paper survey responses and 6 email/written submissions.
Below are some images from our 'Pop-Up Information stall at Gunnamatta Pavilion which included interactive feedback opportunities for all ages and sensory play for children. We also had conversations at Pop Up stalls in Kirrawee Library+ and GovHub in Sutherland to reflect on reconciliation in our community and discuss Council's draft 'Innovate' RAP.