Minutes of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee

 

 

Meeting Date:     Tuesday, 22 August 2023

Location:            Jervis Bay Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time:                   5.12pm

 

 

The following members were present:

 

Ms Natalie Lloyd - Chairperson

Clr Amanda Findley

Clr John Kotlash

Clr Matthew Norris

Clr Moo D'Ath (Remotely)

Clr Evan Christen

Clr Patricia White

Clr Tonia Gray – Left at 6:18pm (and returned at 7:10pm remotely).

Mr Paul McLeod

Mr Shane Brown

Mr Charlie Ashby (Remotely) – Joined at 5:36pm and left at 6:42pm.

Ms Caryn Carpenter (Remotely)

Ms Sharlene Cruickshank

Ms Ulladulla LALC - Karen Tronier (Remotely)

 

Others present:

 

Ms Kerrie Hamilton – Director City Performance

Ms Brooke Aldous – Governance Coordinator

Ms Carly McWalters – Lead – Community Capacity Building

Mr Allen Bloxsome – Community Capacity Builder

Ms Clare Steele – Communications and Community Engagement Officer

Ms Coralie Bell – Tourism Manager - Left at 6:50pm

Ms Kristy Mayhew – Tourism Marketing Specialist – Left at 6:50pm

Mr Simon Tedder – Department of Planning & Environment

Mr Jared Brown

Mr Ron Carberry – Jerrinja Tribal Group – Left at 6:39pm

Mr Graham Conolly Jnr - Jerrinja Tribal Group - Left at 6:39pm

Mr Jacob Norris – (Remotely) Joined at 7:05pm

 

 

 

AA23.3       Election of Chairperson

HPERM Ref: D22/513056

Ms Carly McWalters – Lead – Community Capacity Building opened the meeting and asked the members to submit any nominations for the role of Chairperson noting that there were two nominations for Ms Natalie Lloyd and Ms Sylvia Timbery.

Ms Natalie Lloyd informed that Ms Sylvia Timbery has withdrawn her nomination.

Ms Natalie Lloyd was nominated for the position of Chairperson. There being no further nominations, the Committee agreed the election process was conducted fairly and reasonably. Ms Natalie Lloyd was declared the Chairperson and assumed the Chair.

Recommendation

That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee elect (insert name) as Chairperson for the period to September 2023, and seek the endorsement of this appointment by Council.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee elect Ms Natalie Lloyd as Chairperson for the 4 year term as per the Terms of Reference, and seek the endorsement of this appointment by Council.

 

Ms Natalie Lloyd opened the meeting by observing a Minute of Silence in Respect of Aboriginal Elders, Past and Present.

 

Mr Paul McLeod provided a Welcome to Country.

 

 

 

Apologies / Leave of Absence

Apologies were received from Ms Nicole Moore, Ms Sylvia Timbery, Ms Janet Atkins, Mr Michael Paine and Ms Jane Lewis.

 

 

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (Sharlene Cruickshank / Natalie Lloyd)

 

That the Minutes of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee held on Wednesday 21 June 2023 be confirmed with the following amendment.

·         Apologies were received by both Mr Paul McLeod & Mr Shane Brown (names to be amended)

CARRIED

 

 

Declaration of Interests

Nil

 

 

 

Presentations

 

AA23.13     Glossy Black Cockatoo Project Presentation - Rod Broad - Department of Planning and Environment

HPERM Ref: D23/180516

Mr Simon Tedder - Department of Planning and Environment (DPIE) and Mr Jared Brown (Black Cockatoo Advisory Committee, community member) presented to the Aboriginal Advisory Committee on behalf of Mr Rodney Broad regarding the work that has been undertaken on the Glossy Black Cockatoo Project.

Clr John Kotlash queried if BirdLife Shoalhaven have received a copy of this draft plan. Mr Jared Brown clarified this was presented at the Bird Haven Festival last year and BirdLife Shoalhaven were provided with this information at this event.

Clr Evan Christen queried if DPIE had discussed with the Rural Fire Service (RFS) about the findings on the habitat as this is concerning. Mr Jared Brown confirmed DPIE has had good opportunity to work alongside the RFS. RFS representatives had attended the DPIE community days and workshops and these findings and ideas were discussed and shared.

Mr Simon Tedder clarified on Page 37 of the draft plan, there is a list of potential recommendations from community advocating for Council to consider.

The draft plan and interactive mapping tool can be found here: Healthy Country Plan for glossy black-cockatoo (arcgis.com)

Action: Council to send the website link of the Glossy Black Cockatoo Project Plan to the Aboriginal Advisory Committee members for information, this be added to the next Agenda to provide feedback and to determine where in principal support be given by the Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

 

 

AA23.22     Presentation – Jerrinja Tribe – Cultural Values

HPERM Ref: D23/248897

Mr Graham Connolly Jnr and Mr Ron Carberry – Jerrinja Tribal Group presented to the Aboriginal Advisory Committee on cultural values.  

Action: That Mr Graham Connolly Jr & Mr Ron Carberry be invited to present their case to the next Aboriginal Advisory Committee meeting on 21 November 2023 to request a representative of the Jerrinja Tribal Group to be added to the membership.

 

 

Reports

 

 

AA23.23     Shoalhaven Visitor Guide - Aboriginal Content

HPERM Ref: D23/295482

Ms Kristy Mayhew – Tourism Marketing Specialist presented to the Aboriginal Advisory Committee on the Shoalhaven Visitor Guide.

Ms Kristy Mayhew advised, Council is seeking the Aboriginal Advisory Committee’s endorsement on the existing disclaimer in the Shoalhaven Visitor Guide in relation to Aboriginal Cultural Product.

Clr John Kotlash queried if Council have other brochures with similar disclaimers. Ms Coralie Bell confirmed where Council promote Aboriginal and cultural businesses, a disclaimer is recognised and this was at request of this Committee. Ms Coralie Bell clarified Council are here to support these Aboriginal businesses.

Ms Kristy Mayhew advised the Committee to refer any known Aboriginal cultural working groups/businesses to the Tourism Department.

This year’s Guide to Shoalhaven can be found here: https://www.shoalhaven.com/guide/

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the next Shoalhaven Visitor Guide continue with existing disclaimer in relation to Aboriginal Cultural Product.

RESOLVED (Sharlene Cruickshank / Shane Brown)

That the next Shoalhaven Visitor Guide continue with existing disclaimer in relation to Aboriginal Cultural Product.

CARRIED

 

AA23.24     Aboriginal Advisory Committee Action Table Report August 2023

HPERM Ref: D23/303175

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee:

1.    Receive report for information.

2.    Accept that the following actions are acknowledged as complete and removed from the action table:

a.    AA23.11 - Nowra Riverfront Project - Update

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee:

1.    Receive report for information.

2.    Accept that the following actions are acknowledged as complete and removed from the action table:

a.         AA23.11 - Nowra Riverfront Project – Update

CARRIED

 

AA23.25     Referendum on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

HPERM Ref: D23/312901

Note: The Aboriginal Advisory Committee had a robust conversation surrounding the discrimination, pain and distress this is causing for many within the wider community when it is framed in a discriminatory way.

Recommendation

That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee provide advice and guidance to Council on taking a position on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice (the Voice) for the referendum.

RECOMMENDATION (Sharlene Cruickshank / Paul McLeod)

That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee:

1.      Supports Council taking a position on The Voice Referendum and remains neutral in its advice.

2.      Request that Council promote and share information from support services – on how to support Aboriginal people during this time of distress.

CARRIED

 

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

 

AA23.26     Additional Item - Road Name Proposal - Gadhungal Marring - Bannada Way

Ms Clare Steele - Communications and Community Engagement Officer and Mr Jacob Morris – Gadhungal Marring - presented to the Aboriginal Advisory Committee in relation to a road naming opportunity and proposal from Mr Jacob Morris for the Far North Collector Road.

Mr Jacob Morris has chosen the word ‘Bannada’ for the proposed road name. Mr Jacob Morris clarified the word Bannada is southern Dharrawal for the Bomaderry Creek, meaning running water.

The road naming opportunity and proposal from Mr Jacob Morris will be attached to the Minutes.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee take the suggested road name proposal from Mr Jacob Morris back to the community and report back to the next Aboriginal Advisory Committee meeting, to be held on 21 November 2023.

CARRIED

 

AA23.27     Additional Item - Petrol Financial Assistance

Mr Paul McLeod is seeking endorsement from Council to assist in an allowance for travel to and from the Aboriginal Advisory Committee meetings.

Ms Brooke Aldous – Governance Coordinator confirmed the Aboriginal Advisory Committee do have a budget however, the Committee do not have the delegations to spend it. This budget is used for planning days or events etc. Ms Brooke Aldous clarified a recommendation would require endorsement by Council to use the budget for this purpose.

The Committee agreed all voting community representative members should receive an allowance.

RECOMMENDATION (Shane Brown / Sharlene Cruickshank)

That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee request for Council to consider a financial assistance/small fee for voting community representative members of the Committee from the Aboriginal Advisory Budget to be used towards fuel reimbursement.

CARRIED

 

·         Aboriginal Advisory Committee - Membership

Ms Natalie Lloyd queried if previous Committee member, Mr Jared Brown re-obtains his membership as he no longer is a Council employee. It was clarified that, Mr Jared Brown would need to re-apply as per normal EOI process. The EOI process is currently open and is scheduled to close on Thursday, 31 August 2023.

 

It was confirmed there are currently four (4) vacancies on the Committee, two (2) youth positions and two (2) community representative positions.

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 7:41pm.

 

 

 

Ms Natalie Lloyd

CHAIRPERSON