New toolkit supports local councils to Close the Gap
The NSW Government is to support councils and councillors across the State to work more closely with Aboriginal people, organisations and communities to help Close the Gap.
The NSW Closing the Gap Toolkit for Local Government includes practical examples and case studies from across NSW, templates for planning and policy making and a self-assessment tool to guide councils on their progress.
The toolkit is a key initiative that came out of the NSW Closing the Gap Partnership Agreement, which was signed by the NSW Government, NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations and Local Government NSW in February 2024.
Local councils are often the closest level of government to Aboriginal communities, particularly in regional and remote areas. This means councils are well positioned to work in partnership with Aboriginal organisations to support local Aboriginal-led Closing the Gap initiatives and deliver benefits to the community.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said the Government was committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal people to Close the Gap.
“When Aboriginal voices are at the centre of decision-making, solutions are more effective, locally relevant, and the evidence shows it leads to better outcomes,” he said.
Making real change
“All levels of government – local, State and Federal – must work together, in genuine partnership with Aboriginal people and communities to make real change.
“This toolkit is about ensuring every council — regardless of size — can play their part in Closing the Gap in partnership with Aboriginal communities.”
NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris.
The new toolkit includes guidance for how councils can align their strategic operational planning with each of the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms, with case studies from across NSW including Tamworth Regional, Orange City and Inner West Councils.
Last year Tamworth Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (TACCO) and Tamworth Regional Council signed Australia’s first formal Closing the Gap partnership between an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation and a local council.
Work in partnership with Aboriginal communities
NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations Co-Chair Charles Lynch said Closing the Gap was a shared responsibility across all levels of government.
“Under the National Agreement, decisions that affect Aboriginal people need to be made through formal partnership and shared decision-making,” he said.
“Local government plays a critical role in communities across NSW, particularly in regional and remote areas.”
“We welcome this commitment from LGNSW and the development of this toolkit as a practical step to support councils to work in partnership with Aboriginal communities and organisations, and deliver on their commitments under the National Agreement.
“We look forward to working alongside LGNSW to strengthen local partnerships and ensure that Closing the Gap is implemented in a way that delivers tangible outcomes on the ground.”
The development of such partnerships aligns with ‘Priority Reform 1, ‘formal partnership and shared decision making’, from the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Councils can also use a new self-assessment tool to determine their areas of strength and opportunities for improvement in how they work with Aboriginal communities and organisations in their region.
The toolkit is now available to download:
https://lgnsw.org.au/Public/Public/Policy/Closing-the-Gap-Toolkit/close-the-gap.aspx
