A RAP is a framework guiding how organisations embed reconciliation in their everyday work. The council has produced a draft of its second RAP, Innovate, and is now seeking the community’s feedback on its proposed actions.
Feedback will help to ensure that the proposed actions are meaningful in our local context, and shape how the council delivers its reconciliation commitments.Our reconciliation journey
Council delivered its first RAP (Reflect RAP) between 2022 and 2024, focusing on learning, listening and building strong foundations.
The DRAFT plan Innovate, has been developed in line with Reconciliation Australia’s framework, and outlines how the council will translate its reconciliation commitments into practical, accountable actions. The Reconciliation Australia framework has key areas that must be included in the RAP, but other sections are able to be shaped to reflect the organisation’s local context, responsibilities and community.
This DRAFT RAP has been informed through engagement with Neporendi Aboriginal Forum, the Southern Elders and Community Group, together with internal working group discussions which has included Aboriginal staff. It aligns with the goals set in the Community Vision 2034 that was produced through engagement with the broader community including First Nations people.
Read the full DRAFT Innovate RAP
Read a summary of the full DRAFT Innovate RAP
Why we are seeking feedback
While the RAP focuses on how the council works within its roles and responsibilities, community feedback tests and helps to inform if the proposed actions are relevant, practical and grounded in local experience.
The council is seeking input on whether the proposed actions feel meaningful, how they can be strengthened in practice, and how Council can communicate progress clearly.
This engagement is about how the council delivers reconciliation, not whether reconciliation should occur.
What you can influence
Because the RAP follows a Reconciliation Australia framework, only the highlighted actions and deliverables in the DRAFT RAP can be influenced by community feedback.
Therefore, you can provide feedback on:
- if the proposed actions and deliverables reflect the most important local priorities
- how actions could be delivered in meaningful and practical ways
- opportunities for partnerships, learning and capability building.
- how the council shares progress and measures success
- the clarity, tone and accessibility of the RAP.
All feedback will be considered alongside Reconciliation Australia’s framework, with the final version presented to the Council for endorsement.
What you can’t influence
Some elements of the DRAFT RAP are not open to change as a result of feedback gained through this engagement:
- the council’s commitment to reconciliation, which is set through the Community Vision 2034 and the Community Capacity Strategic Plan 2021-24
- the requirement for the RAP to align with Reconciliation Australia’s Innovate framework
- the RAP’s focus on how the council works as an organisation
- the 2-year timeframe of this RAP.
Feedback outside this scope may help inform future RAPs.
How to participate
- Come and chat with us at one of the community drop in sessions
- Complete the short survey below
- Email: mail@onkaparinga.sa.gov.au
- Post: City of Onkaparinga, PO Box 1, Noarlunga Centre SA 5168
- In person: Any council Customer Service Centre
Next steps
A ‘What We Heard’ summary will be shared, followed by council consideration and adoption of the final DRAFT Innovate RAP.
Have your say
- Aldinga Library - Central Way, Aldinga Beach
- Monday 2 March 2026, 11AM to 4PM
- Neporendi - 13 McKinna Road, Christie Downs
- Wednesday 4 March 2026, 9AM to 4PM
- Wednesday 11 March 2026, 9AM to 4PM
- Wednesday 18 March 2026, 9AM to 4PM
- Noarlunga Library - Hannah Road, Noarlunga Centre
- Thursday 5 March 2026, 1PM to 4PM
- Aberfoyle Park Library - Bains Road, Morphett Vale
- Thursday 19 March 2026, 9:30AM to 1PM
- Noarlunga Office
- Aberfoyle Park Office
- Aldinga Office
- Willunga Office
- Woodcroft Office
Visit the contact us page for addresses and opening hours
Email: mail@onkaparinga.sa.gov.au
Post:
Attention: Reconciliation Project Officer
City of Onkaparinga
PO Box 1
Noarlunga Centre SA 5168
You are required to be registered and logged in to participate in this engagement. This is to ensure that:
- everyone only provides feedback once
- we can gather basic demographic data; such as your suburb; to assist with understanding community sentiment
- once registered you can choose to stay informed by selecting the +Follow button at the top of screen.
Once you follow the project we will round back to you via email to share what we heard, the decision that was made, as well as any project updates.
If you are experiencing difficulties with the online feedback form or you do not have an email address, you can download the printable version and post it to us.
Post: PO Box 1 Noarlunga Centre SA 5168
FAQs
Everyone is welcome to participate. First Nations voices are central to informing this work, and community feedback also helps strengthen council’s approach.
Responses will be analysed and summarised. Individual responses may be published; however, any identifying information will be removed prior to publication.
You can choose not to allow publication of your response within the survey online.
Background
The City of Onkaparinga has committed to reconciliation as part of improving wellbeing and quality of life for the whole community.
This pledge is set out in the Community Vision 2034, and includes a focus on equity, respect and increasing the visibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and identities.
The Innovate RAP outlines how the council turns its reconciliation commitment into practical action through its systems, behaviours, culture and decision-making.
Reflect RAP 2022-2024
Between 2022 and 2024, the council delivered its first RAP – Reflect. This first RAP stage focused on learning, listening and building strong foundations. It helped the council to grow its understanding of reconciliation, strengthen relationships and prepare for more targeted action. As part of this work, the council engaged with staff and undertook targeted engagement with Neporendi Aboriginal Forum Incorporated and the Southern Elders Community Group.
Innovate RAP 2026–2028
This next RAP - Innovate RAP 2026–2028 moves beyond reflection into action. It’s focused on implementing and trialling practical and, where appropriate, innovative approaches to strengthen relationships, build cultural capability and create lasting change. This stage allows the council to test what works, learn from experience, and build a stronger platform for future reconciliation action.
What is reconciliation?
Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of everyone who lives here.
It is an ongoing journey that involves listening, learning, respect and accountability.
What is a reconciliation action plan (RAP)?
A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a structured plan that helps organisations turn their commitment to reconciliation into practical action.
For council, a RAP is primarily an internal plan. It focuses on:
- how we work as an organisation
- how we build respectful relationships
- how we grow cultural understanding and capability
- how we make decisions that support community wellbeing
Council RAPs follow a framework set by Reconciliation Australia, based on:
- relationships
- respect
- opportunities
- governance
Reconciliation Australia
Reconciliation Action Plans are developed under a national framework established by Reconciliation Australia, an independent, not-for-profit organisation that supports reconciliation across Australia. Reconciliation Australia provides guidance, standards and oversight to help organisations take meaningful and accountable action.
The framework is built around four core areas — Relationships, Respect, Opportunities and Governance — which set consistent expectations for all RAPs. While these focus areas are prescribed, organisations have flexibility in how actions are designed and delivered, allowing council to tailor its RAP to local context, priorities and lived experience while meeting national standards.
To learn more about Reconciliation Australia please visit their website https://www.reconciliation.org.au/
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Types of reconciliation action plans
To learn more about reconciliation action plans please visit the Reconciliation Australia website https://www.reconciliation.org.au/
Each RAP stage is important. Reflect lays the groundwork, Innovate puts learning into action, and Stretch focuses on sustained impact and leadership. Together, they support a long-term, meaningful approach to reconciliation.
