Rural City of Wangaratta Council has resolved not to adopt a proposed Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) following consideration at its August Council Meeting.
Deputy Mayor, Harvey Benton tabled an alternative motion: That Council does not adopt a Reconciliation Action Plan but maintains the current approach of delivering projects that achieve positive outcomes of engagement to all sectors of the community.
The Deputy Mayor’s motion was passed by Council.
The Council considered the draft RAP following an extensive process that included community consultation, engagement with Aboriginal organisations and Traditional Owner groups, and feedback from residents and councillors.
In a statement, the Council said its decision not to adopt the proposed plan, relates to a specific framework rather than Council’s commitment to reconciliation.
“Council has a long history of working with Aboriginal organisations, Traditional Owner groups, and First Nations community members, and that work will continue,” it stated.
“Council has been undertaking reconciliation-focused work for a number of years, including cultural awareness training for staff, support for and participation in National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week activities, engagement with Aboriginal community organisations, support for First Nations storytelling and cultural programming, and the development of a First Nations Engagement Framework.”
The Council says it will continue to strengthen these relationships and identify opportunities to advance reconciliation outcomes across its services, programs, and decision-making. These activities support Council’s commitment to promoting and celebrating the heritage and cultural diversity of the Rural City of Wangaratta, including First Nations history and culture, as outlined in the Council Plan 2025-2029.
During the Council meeting, Councillor Tanya Maxwell said the plan identifies more than 20 practices that Council already commits to, “without a RAP”.
“For those who have not read the document, I encourage you to familiarise yourself with our commitment that is already embedded into Council,” she said.
Council endorsed the draft RAP for community consultation at its meeting in December last year. The plan was exhibited from 17 December 2025 to 26 February 2026. During this period Council received 73 submissions and undertook a range of engagement activities, including community drop-in sessions and direct consultation with Aboriginal organisations and Traditional Owner groups. It says feedback received generally supported the draft plan.
“I would like to thank the many community members, Aboriginal organisations, Traditional Owner groups, staff and councillors who participated in the development of the draft Reconciliation Action Plan and shared their views throughout the consultation process,” said Mayor, Irene Grant.
“We have heard clearly that reconciliation matters to many people in our community, and we remain committed to continuing this work.
“While Council has decided not to adopt the RAP, the conversations, relationships, and learnings built through this process remain valuable. Reconciliation is not new work for Council, and it is not work that ends with this decision.
“Council has supported reconciliation through its programs, partnerships and community engagement for many years, and we remain committed to continuing that work into the future.”
