The Draft First Nations Accord is an important step on the journey of reconciliation and developing a shared vision for our future with our local First Nations people.
The Accord is a commitment to the First Nations People that Council will not only continue to support the principles of cooperation, but also listen to history and support Aboriginal people to realise their future.

There are 19 commitments in the Accord which are aligned with Government frameworks such as Local Decision Making and delivers against the Priority Reform areas within the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

The Accord acknowledges the significance of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council and commits to strengthening this important relationship to ensure both parties are able to maximise outcomes for the community.

There are some key commitments within the Draft Accord including:

• To establish a new MOU with DLALC
• To establish a broad-based Aboriginal Advisory Committee – to provide a mechanism for representation of the local Aboriginal community to have meaningful engagement with Council while we work through the next steps on our shared journey in a collaborative manner.

Other critical focus areas within the Accord are to advance opportunities for increased employment, and better education and health outcomes locally.

The Central Coast LGA is one of the largest and fastest growing Aboriginal communities in Australia with many moving here for a better life, more opportunities, and connection to family already here. This population grew by 38% in the last Census reporting period, with significant growth expected into the foreseeable future.

Unfortunately, Aboriginal people still experience higher levels of disadvantage than that of non-Indigenous people, and the main focus of the Accord is to define how we can listen to and work with Aboriginal people to realise their future and improve their quality of life.

The Draft Accord has been developed to be both meaningful and achievable within Council’s current financial and human resourcing constraints, and the proposed commitments have been aligned to fit within the 4 priority reform areas within the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Council concedes there are conflicting views within the local Aboriginal community regarding recognition of Traditional Ownership of local lands. Council does not have any role in determining any such claims and accepts that there are established mechanisms at a State and Federal Government level.

There are currently no registered nor determined Native Title claims locally.

The Accord acknowledges and respects the role and function of Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council as the locally established statutory body with the mandated responsibility to represent and care for the local Aboriginal community, and manage local Aboriginal lands, culture and heritage.

Should there be a successful Native Title claim, and the relevant Native Title Body Corporate be established locally, Council would naturally recognise this body as being representative of the local Traditional Owners.

Through the development of this draft Accord, Council officers engaged with Darkinjung LALC and local First Nations Leaders. Consultation was also undertaken with all relevant Council Business Units to ensure the proposed commitments were achievable.

The purpose of the public exhibition period is to consult with the broader community and seek their opinions on the commitments proposed.

At its meeting on April 26, 2022, Council resolved to exhibit the draft Acknowledgement of Country at the same time as the draft First Nations Accord.

An Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity for anyone to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced a long history of exclusion from Australian history books, the Australian flag, the Australian anthem and for many years, Australian democracy.

This history of dispossession and colonisation lies at the heart of the disparity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other Australians today.

Including recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in events, meetings and national symbols contributes to ending the exclusion that has been so damaging.

Incorporating welcoming and acknowledgement protocols into official meetings and events recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of land and shows respect.

Yes. The community were able to provide feedback on both or either.

The community were invited to have their say on the draft Central Coast First Nations Accord and draft Acknowledgement of Country between 2 May and 3 June 2022 by:

• reviewing the information available on this page
• providing feedback via:
  • online submission form (closed)
  • email: ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
  • post: PO Box 20, Wyong NSW 2259

Due to overwhelming interest, Council extended the closing date of the Public Exhibition for the draft Central Coast First Nations Accord and draft Acknowledgement of Country from 30 May until 5pm on Friday June 3 2022.