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A decision to create an Aboriginal advice group for Northern Beaches Council has been overturned

A contentious decision to create a special Aboriginal committee to advise Northern Beaches Council on local indigenous issues and projects has been overturned.

Nathan Moran, CEO of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Nathan Moran, CEO of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

A recent Northern Beaches Council decision to create a special Aboriginal committee to advise it on indigenous issues and projects has been overturned.

The council voted on Tuesday night to reverse a motion from its July 30 meeting to set up an Aboriginal Community Advisory Group after Mayor Sue Heins pushed for a “formal mechanism” to engage with local indigenous people.

But a rescission motion submitted by three Liberal councillors — Dave Walton, Michael Gencher and Karina Page — to have the advisory group motion overturned, was successful.

The group would have offered advice on “matters of importance” to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including infrastructure projects and heritage as well as council strategies and plans.

It could have, for example, review the creation of a formal Reconciliation Action Plan as well as advise on renaming local landmarks in an Aboriginal language.

Liberal councillor David Walton is one of three members of Northern Beaches Council who have submitted a rescission motion to have a motion to create an Aboriginal Community Advisory Group, overturned. Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily
Liberal councillor David Walton is one of three members of Northern Beaches Council who have submitted a rescission motion to have a motion to create an Aboriginal Community Advisory Group, overturned. Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily

Cr Walton argued there was no need for the group because the council consulted regularly with existing indigenous bodies such as the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Aboriginal Heritage Office.

He also predicted the body would cause division in the community, in the wake of last year’s failed Voice to parliament referendum and that creating the body could cost ratepayers up to $300,000 a year.

Cr Walton then moved a successful motion that council staff look at creating a process to work closely with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council to further the outcomes of local Aboriginal people.

Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins pushed for the creation of the advisory body. Picture: Supplied
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins pushed for the creation of the advisory body. Picture: Supplied

“The MLALC contacted the council and advised there was no need for a new advisory group,” he said.

“And this advisory group would just add another level of bureaucracy and red tape.

“We received numerous emails from the public saying they don’t agree with having, what is basically, a ‘Voice to Council’.

“They said everyone should be treated equally.”

Independent councillor Jose Menano-Pires, who backed the recision motion, said the council already received advice from indigenous groups on issues related to development applications and sacred sites.

“I think we need to unite the northern beaches community, and not divide it and that’s what this proposal is going to do,” he said.

Cr Heins had argued that the new group would provide advice on all issues that “require engagement on culturally appropriate policies and activities”.

She said that while the council already engaged with indigenous locals, it was only on an issue by issue, or project by project basis.

“However we need a more holistic approach which directs action and is driven by an Aboriginal Community Advisory Group working with staff to ensure we take actions and not just simply have conversations,” she said.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/bid-to-overturn-decision-to-create-an-aboriginal-advice-group-for-northern-beaches-council/news-story/5942665ec28feb024f1661dfaac8f275