03/11/2023
Community members are invited to help shape Georges River Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Draft Strategy.
This milestone project was initiated in response to a Council resolution which addressed the need for Council to acknowledge and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage in the Georges River area.
Georges River Mayor Sam Elmir described the Draft Strategy as a “crucial step” for Georges River, which aims to embed social justice principles into the way in which Council recognises, supports and engages with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Council’s Social Justice Charter 2022-2026 provides a strong foundational guide to support Council to meet this aim. We have also engaged Ngurra Advisory, a 100% owned and controlled Aboriginal consultancy business, to work with us and the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to develop the Draft Strategy.
Ngurra Advisory’s research and consultation so far has led to the development of four draft focus areas:
- Learn
- Empower
- Recognise & Respect
- Include
These key areas aim to reflect the strategy’s draft objectives, including developing cultural awareness, celebrating culture, reflecting cultural protocols throughout Council’s policies and processes, and creating meaningful opportunities to enhance the lives of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Together with Ngurra Advisory, Council is committed to ensuring that this strategy is reflective of the community’s needs and aspirations. George River Council is calling on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to actively participate in the strategy’s development process.” Mayor Elmir said.
Community members are invited to attend upcoming online and face to face engagement sessions, or visit the Your Say page to learn more and have input:
The first opportunity will be an Online Engagement Session.
Date: 13 November 2023
Time: 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Description: An informative session where participants will learn about the progress so far, the research conducted, and the draft focus areas of the strategy.
This session will be followed by an opportunity to book one-on-one or small group online consultations to provide feedback on the draft focus areas and suggest actions that should be prioritised in the Strategy.
In addition to these online community opportunities, Ngurra Advisory and Georges River Council will also be consulting directly with Traditional Owners and Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee. In early 2024, we will host face to face consultation opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members as well.
Mayor Elmir said Georges River Council was committed to ensuring the strategy is a collaborative effort, with community input at its core.
“We encourage you to participate in this process to help us build a strategy that reflects the values and voices of the Georges River region’s Traditional Owners as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live and work in the Georges River area. Your input will help us to create a more inclusive and equitable community.
“The development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Draft Strategy is a pivotal moment in our Council’s history and your participation will play a vital role.”
For more information and to participate in the upcoming engagement sessions, please visit
Council’s Your Say page.