A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a document that organisations develop to outline the actions and initiatives that they will take to contribute to reconciliation in Australia.

The RAP framework is prearranged by Reconciliation Australia.

Since 2006, the City of Melbourne has developed Reconciliation Action Plans which have shown the actions that we would take to build strong relationships and enhance respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the wider community.

The City of Melbourne was the first Australian local government organisation who back in 2006 implemented a RAP.

We are proud to make a commitment to fully support reconciliation and we seek to understand and embrace reconciliation within our organisation and to encourage reconciliation across the city and through our connections nationally and internationally.

Our RAPs have focussed on three areas: Relationships, Respect and Opportunities.

The RAP 2011–14 drove a number of important Council initiatives including the permanent raising of the flag over Melbourne Town Hall and the continuation of our Aboriginal Traineeship Program that has resulted in another 18 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people taking up traineeships at the City of Melbourne.

Our draft RAP 2015–18 seeks to support reconciliation through improving our competency and ensuring that we are a leader within the community on matters that affect the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, especially young children and their families.

Since the Reconciliation conversation is so important for the City of Melbourne, we want to find out from community, the areas where they feel that reconciliation needs to happen We also want to find out from non-Aboriginal people about their understanding of reconciliation and how the City of Melbourne can either continue to support or provide further education.

The City of Melbourne is speaking with a range of stakeholders and this includes close consultation with Aboriginal organisations and communities, as well as consultation with the broader community.

True reconciliation won’t be achieved until the difference in quality of life that exists between Aboriginal and other Australians ceases to exist. It will take many years for permanent change to happen in all areas of life that many Australians take for granted such as maternal and child health, education and training, employment opportunities and health.

After 12 July, we will collate the feedback that’s been gathered and look at constructive suggestions, as well as common themes and then review the draft RAP 2015-18 to see the areas that either need further development or we can go ahead and include plans and actions in the document.

The finalised document will be presented to the City of Melbourne’s Future Melbourne Committee in July 2015 for it to be adopted as a City of Melbourne working document.