Draft - Reconciliation Action Plan

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At the meeting held on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, Council carried the following alternative motion:

“That Council does not adopt the RAP but maintains the current approach of delivering projects that achieve positive outcomes of engagement to all sectors of the community”

Thank you to everyone who participated in the community consultation process. Your feedback and contributions were captured and presented to Councillors as part of the engagement report and informed their consideration of this matter.


If you would like to discuss this outcome further with your elected representatives, please see their contact details here Councillors Rural City of Wangaratta

The Rural City of Wangaratta has developed a draft Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to foster respectful, inclusive, and ongoing engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This strategy is grounded in cultural respect, trust-building, and collaboration, aiming to align with reconciliation goals through structured consultation and community involvement.

The draft RAP will be presented to our community and the registration body, Reconciliation Australia.

The process of consultation is unique to the RAP framework which is guided by Reconciliation Australia and the First Nations Engagement Framework.

The RAP and our engagement plans are founded in:

  • Commitment to respectful relationships: The strategy emphasises fostering strong, inclusive relationships with diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups, recognising their unique cultural authorities and perspectives.
  • Guiding principles: Engagement is based on respect for cultural authority, neutrality, transparency, accountability, and sustained trust-building rather than one-off consultations.
  • Clear engagement objectives: The Council aims to establish clear pathways for engagement, create culturally safe processes, acknowledge all perspectives without bias, and promote Indigenous economic inclusion.
  • Stakeholder mapping and approach: Engagement includes Traditional Owners, local Aboriginal groups, Elders, community members, and institutional partners, using tailored methods across relationship-building, formal consultation, and collaborative decision-making.
  • Engagement activities: Regular outreach, yarning circles, quarterly forums, and diverse feedback channels are key activities to build trust and gather input.

The process of consultation is unique to the RAP which is guided by Reconciliation Australia and councils First Nations Engagement Framework. This comprehensive approach aims to create a respectful and inclusive environment that acknowledges and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Once feedback received about the draft RAP has been considered, the intention is to submit to Reconciliation Australia and once approved, present the plan to Council for formal adoption.

Consultation Period Closed Friday February 27, 2026.

The draft Reconciliation Action Plan can be downloaded here.

Community drop in sessions were held on Thursday 12 February 4pm -6pm Wangaratta Library Foyer, and Wednesday 18 February 10am -12pm Wangaratta Library Community Room. Thank you to the community members who attended and shared their thoughts with Council Officers and Counsellors.

For more information on this project or the consultation timeline, please contact: connect@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

For more information on submissions to this project, and how they could be shared, please view our Privacy Statement

At the meeting held on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, Council carried the following alternative motion:

“That Council does not adopt the RAP but maintains the current approach of delivering projects that achieve positive outcomes of engagement to all sectors of the community”

Thank you to everyone who participated in the community consultation process. Your feedback and contributions were captured and presented to Councillors as part of the engagement report and informed their consideration of this matter.


If you would like to discuss this outcome further with your elected representatives, please see their contact details here Councillors Rural City of Wangaratta

The Rural City of Wangaratta has developed a draft Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to foster respectful, inclusive, and ongoing engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This strategy is grounded in cultural respect, trust-building, and collaboration, aiming to align with reconciliation goals through structured consultation and community involvement.

The draft RAP will be presented to our community and the registration body, Reconciliation Australia.

The process of consultation is unique to the RAP framework which is guided by Reconciliation Australia and the First Nations Engagement Framework.

The RAP and our engagement plans are founded in:

  • Commitment to respectful relationships: The strategy emphasises fostering strong, inclusive relationships with diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups, recognising their unique cultural authorities and perspectives.
  • Guiding principles: Engagement is based on respect for cultural authority, neutrality, transparency, accountability, and sustained trust-building rather than one-off consultations.
  • Clear engagement objectives: The Council aims to establish clear pathways for engagement, create culturally safe processes, acknowledge all perspectives without bias, and promote Indigenous economic inclusion.
  • Stakeholder mapping and approach: Engagement includes Traditional Owners, local Aboriginal groups, Elders, community members, and institutional partners, using tailored methods across relationship-building, formal consultation, and collaborative decision-making.
  • Engagement activities: Regular outreach, yarning circles, quarterly forums, and diverse feedback channels are key activities to build trust and gather input.

The process of consultation is unique to the RAP which is guided by Reconciliation Australia and councils First Nations Engagement Framework. This comprehensive approach aims to create a respectful and inclusive environment that acknowledges and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Once feedback received about the draft RAP has been considered, the intention is to submit to Reconciliation Australia and once approved, present the plan to Council for formal adoption.

Consultation Period Closed Friday February 27, 2026.

The draft Reconciliation Action Plan can be downloaded here.

Community drop in sessions were held on Thursday 12 February 4pm -6pm Wangaratta Library Foyer, and Wednesday 18 February 10am -12pm Wangaratta Library Community Room. Thank you to the community members who attended and shared their thoughts with Council Officers and Counsellors.

For more information on this project or the consultation timeline, please contact: connect@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

For more information on submissions to this project, and how they could be shared, please view our Privacy Statement

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Draft Reconciliation Action Plan

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Page last updated: 03 Sep 2026, 10:05 AM