Council declines to adopt Reconciliation Action Plan

Published on 25 August 2026

Media Release

Council declines to adopt Reconciliation Action Plan, commits to ongoing reconciliation work

The Rural City of Wangaratta Council has resolved not to adopt the proposed Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) following consideration at its August Council Meeting.

Deputy Mayor Cr. Harvey Benton tabled an alternative motion that was passed: That Council does not adopt a Reconciliation Action Plan but maintains the current approach of delivering projects that achieve positive outcomes of engagement to all sectors of the community.

Council considered the draft RAP following an extensive process that included community consultation, engagement with Aboriginal organisations and Traditional Owner groups, and feedback from residents and councillors.

Council’s decision not to adopt the proposed plan, relates to a specific framework rather than Council's commitment to reconciliation. Council has a long history of working with Aboriginal organisations, Traditional Owner groups, and First Nations community members, and that work will continue.

Council has been undertaking reconciliation-focused work for a number of years, including cultural awareness training for staff, support for and participation in National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week activities, engagement with Aboriginal community organisations, support for First Nations storytelling and cultural programming, and the development of a First Nations Engagement Framework.

Council will continue to strengthen these relationships and identify opportunities to advance reconciliation outcomes across its services, programs, and decision-making. These activities support Council's commitment to promoting and celebrating the heritage and cultural diversity of the Rural City of Wangaratta, including First Nations history and culture, as outlined in the Council Plan 2025-2029.

Cr. Tania Maxwell said during the Council meeting:“The plan identifies over 20 practices that Council already commits to, without a RAP.  For those who have not read the document, I encourage you to familiarise yourself with our commitment that is already embedded into Council.”

Background

Council endorsed the draft RAP for community consultation at its meeting in December 2025. The plan was exhibited from 17 December 2025 to 26 February 2026. During this period Council received 73 submissions and undertook a range of engagement activities, including community drop-in sessions and direct consultation with Aboriginal organisations and Traditional Owner groups. Feedback received generally supported the draft plan.

Looking Forward

Council will continue its work with Aboriginal community members, Traditional Owners and local organisations, strengthening relationships and identifying opportunities to support reconciliation outcomes across Council services, programs, and events.

Mayor Cr. Irene Grant said:“I would like to thank the many community members, Aboriginal organisations, Traditional Owner groups, staff and councillors who participated in the development of the draft Reconciliation Action Plan and shared their views throughout the consultation process. We have heard clearly that reconciliation matters to many people in our community, and we remain committed to continuing this work.”

“While Council has decided not to adopt the RAP, the conversations, relationships, and learnings built through this process remain valuable. Reconciliation is not new work for Council, and it is not work that ends with this decision.”

“Council has supported reconciliation through its programs, partnerships and community engagement for many years, and we remain committed to continuing that work into the future.”

The Rural City of Wangaratta has a longstanding commitment to:

• Working together to navigate the complexities of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander relationships with the goal of improving broad engagement with all First Nations people across the municipality.
• Identifying and connecting First Nations participation and consultation across community projects, engagement, partnerships, and services.
• Meeting Council’s statutory obligations including those relating to The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act, Registered Aboriginal Parties and Recognition and Settlement Agreements.
• Celebrating and respecting established community processes and projects such as those related to the Marmungun Rock, Bullawah Cultural Trail.
• Improving and increasing First Nations access and support, with Council services acting as a gateway for communities to identify and connect with opportunities and support.
• Providing and following inclusive and appropriate guidance outside of statutory obligations regarding best practice that recognises the sensitivities of Traditional Owner status across the Rural City of Wangaratta including the Bpangerang, Yorta Yorta, and Taungurang peoples.

Additional Information

A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a formal, strategic document endorsed by Reconciliation Australia that helps organisations turn the goals of reconciliation into practical actions. It provides a structured framework built on three core pillars: relationships, respect, and opportunities.