476 visits
to Your Say Onkaparinga page during the engagement period
Artwork by Allan Sumner, to learn more about the artwork and the meaning behind it please see the DRAFT Innovate RAP.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Community engagement has now closed and the feedback received has been reviewed.
Based on the feedback received, several updates have been made to the draft Innovate RAP 2026–2028. These include strengthening actions relating to ongoing relationship building, making expectations for cultural learning clearer, expanding commitments around truth-telling and adding a new action to explore meaningful ways to honour Kaurna people’s unique and ongoing connection to Country.
You can read more about what we heard below.
The updated draft RAP has now received conditional endorsement from Reconciliation Australia and, together with the Community Engagement Feedback Report, will be presented to Council for consideration at its 19 May 2026 meeting.
Download the updated DRAFT Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.
Council will consider the updated draft RAP and the engagement findings before making a decision on whether to adopt the plan.
A further update will be shared on this page following the Council meeting.
Community members are welcome to attend Council and Council Committee meetings. We value community interest in local matters and appreciate those who take the time to attend. Details of upcoming meetings, including dates, times, agendas and minutes, are available on our website. Visit the Council agendas and minutes page for more information and to download agendas.
What we heard
Community engagement was open 27 February to 22 March 2026.
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340 downloads
of the draft documents
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31 contributions
to the feedback tools
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79 direct emails
to Your Say Onkaparinga participants identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
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1,411 notifications
to Your Say Onkaparinga members
Community Engagement summary
A total of 31 contributions were received. From the 28 contributions received online or via paper surveys, 17.86 per cent were from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, 75 per cent were from neither Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and 7.14 per cent preferred not to say.
Feedback on the draft Innovate RAP was predominantly supportive, with the majority of respondents ‘mostly’ or ‘somewhat’ endorsing council's commitment to reconciliation and the direction of the Innovate RAP.
Of those who responded to the question of whether the RAP reflects what is needed, 15 indicated ‘yes mostly’, 7 said ‘somewhat’, 5 said ‘not really’ and 1 was ‘unsure’.
Submissions highlighted strong support for cultural learning, truth-telling, genuine community-led engagement and greater visibility of First Nations culture across the city. Respondents called for council to move beyond symbolic commitments toward tangible action, particularly around all-staff cultural learning, accessible pathways for staff and community to engage with reconciliation work, and meaningful recognition of Kaurna people's ongoing connection to Country.
The 5 respondents that said ‘not really’ questioned whether reconciliation is an appropriate focus for local government or expressed opposition to the RAP program.
Feedback was also received from six online survey respondents regarding events and activities held on 26 January.
Based on feedback received, the following amendments have been made to the draft RAP prior to finalisation:
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Engagement feedback |
Outcome |
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Respondents identified relationship building as the highest priority, particularly the need for ongoing genuine engagement. |
Added a new Deliverable: 1.1 Maintain and regularly review a First Nations stakeholder and communications list, ensuring it reflects the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, community groups, businesses and individuals across the region. Ensured timelines for two deliverables in Action 1 were explicit that these actions were ongoing. |
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Strong preference for cultural awareness training to be for all staff and in person or on Country. |
The draft Innovate RAP includes cultural learning for all staff. Action 5.4 has been edited to be more explicit that this is the expectation for all staff. The content and format of cultural training will be considered as part of the future Cultural Awareness and Competency Framework. |
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Truth-telling was raised as requiring a stronger, more resourced and more explicit commitment. |
The scope of Action 6.2 (Historical Acceptance) has been expanded to include council's role in countering misinformation and contributing to contemporary public dialogue about First Nations history, culture and rights. |
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Move beyond acknowledgement and toward active support for Kaurna cultural practice and connection to Country. |
We have added Action 8 under the Respect pillar to Explore tangible and meaningful ways to honour Kaurna people's unique and ongoing connection to Country. |
Our RAP (Innovate) 2026-28 has been updated now to reflect these changes. It has had conditional endorsement from Reconciliation Australia and will go to an upcoming meeting of Council in May for approval.
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.
Engagement background
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.
Why we sought 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 sought 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 could influence
Because the RAP follows a Reconciliation Australia framework, only the highlighted actions and deliverables in the DRAFT RAP could be influenced by community feedback.
Therefore, you could 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 is considered alongside Reconciliation Australia’s framework, with the final version presented to the Council for endorsement.
What you couldn'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.
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/
DISCLAIMER: If you choose to visit the third-party website, we encourage you to review their privacy policies, as we are not responsible for their content or practices.
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.
