City of Coffs endorses inaugural Aboriginal strategy

City of Coffs Harbour Council has compiled a list of Aboriginal names to consider when naming public streets and buildings as part of its first ever Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy.

The new strategy was recently endorsed by Council and contains a number of short-term (one to four years) actions for the City to undertake, including: 

• Develop a signage program to acknowledge Country on City signage and to deliver culturally appropriate locational and asset naming language signage within the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area;
• Ensure that all corporate e-mail-signatures include an acknowledgement to Country;
• Acknowledge cultural history by developing, maintaining and utilising a database of Gumbaynggirr and local Aboriginal names for naming opportunities such as streets, buildings and places of Aboriginal cultural relevance;
• Create a network of ‘Reconciliation Champions’ within the organisation;
• Improve the City’s onboarding processes to allow Aboriginal employees to identify in a safe and appropriate manner; and 
• Develop an interview procedure to ensure that Aboriginal applicants attending City job interviews feel safe, supported and welcomed. 

“Being involved in creating the City’s first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy as a member of the Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee has been a truly rewarding experience,” said Mayor, Nikki Williams.  

“This is a really exciting moment for our community. The strategy is more than just a document. It’s a commitment from the City to work in good faith, support Aboriginal voices, and celebrate the culture, knowledge and resilience of the Gumbaynggirr people and the many other Aboriginal people who live in our region.”  

The strategy outlines 38 actions aimed at building a stronger and more inclusive future for the community. 

Developed in partnership with the Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee, the strategy recognises the deep cultural connections, history and ongoing contributions of Aboriginal people, while acknowledging the challenges that continue to be felt today as a result of past injustices, the Council said in a statement.

“With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people representing 5.7% of the Coffs Harbour local government area population, compared with the NSW average of 2.9 per cent, the strategy reflects the importance of ensuring Aboriginal voices, culture and aspirations are recognised and supported,” said Council Planning and Communities Director, Ian Fitzgibbon. 

“The City is committed to listening to and working alongside the Aboriginal community and the broader community to help shape the vision, focus areas and initiatives that will guide this strategy.” 

Progress updates on the implementation of the strategy will be provided through the City’s Integrated Planning and Reporting framework.