As a city we are immensely proud of Melbourne’s unique Aboriginal cultural heritage and are committed to ensuring it is appropriately recognised, protected and celebrated. It is a key part of our city’s identity and also ensures that Aboriginal peoples’ equal participation in the economy and activity of our city.

Outcomes under this pillar include initiatives to improve economic outcomes through employment and business activities. We supported supplier diversity and the exposure and reach of Aboriginal suppliers:

• We are members of Supply Nation and Kinaway and our Sustainable Procurement Framework provides information to staff on how to engage with Aboriginal businesses.
• We hosted the Deadly in Melbourne Business Expo in partnership with Kinaway, which had over 800 registered attendees networking with 52 First Nations businesses showcasing their offerings.

We embraced First Nations social, cultural and economic outcomes in our city including through:

• The YIRRAMBOI Festival, a major festival showcasing contemporary First Nations artistic practice.
• Embedding appropriate design references to Aboriginal cultures across urban and landscape design, for example in Greenline.
• Supporting Aboriginal communities and individuals’ access to and use of spaces in our libraries and community centres.

Under the next Reconciliation Action Plan we can continue to strengthen opportunities for Aboriginal peoples’, our city and our organisation, including through:

• Improving employment outcomes by increasing Aboriginal recruitment, retention and professional development.
• Increasing Aboriginal supplier diversity to support improved economic and social outcomes.
• Initiatives to stimulate Aboriginal business development and growth across our municipality.

Header photo:
narrm ngarrgu, new library and family services opened in 2024.
Photographer: Spilt Milk