Reconciliation Action Plan achievements recognised 

Reconciliation Action Plan

At its 28 July meeting, Ballarat City Council noted the third City of Ballarat Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) has been completed, with work about to start on the fourth version. 

The RAP was adopted on March 13, 2019 and helped Council reconcile with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

The RAP was developed in consultation with Reconciliation Australia and had four main focus areas, including: 

Relationships – strengthening informal community networks and engagement opportunities  

Respect – embedding cultural safety and respect in all Council workplaces 

Opportunities – environmental and park maintenance activities including Aboriginal land management practices 

Governance – tracking RAP progress and reporting  

Of 111 RAP actions, there are only 26 which will rollover into the fourth Reconciliation Action Plan. This equates to 93 per cent completed and seven per cent still to action. (However, it is noted COVID-19 has impacted on some RAP actions.) 

The City of Ballarat also plans to become involved in the Reconciliation Industry Network Group for Local Government, established by Reconciliation Australia. 

Children’s Consultation Report received by Ballarat City Council 

Children aged 13 and younger make up 20 per cent of Ballarat’s population. So broadscale children’s consultation was carried out during Children’s Week in October 2020 as part of Council’s commitment to the Victorian Child Friendly Cities and Communities Charter. 

Children aged 3 to 13 were asked: 

Why should adults listen to kids? 

What do you love about Ballarat? 

What makes a good neighbourhood? 

About 150 responses were received and key findings were: 

Children feel they have a unique perspective and deserve to be heard 

They feel strongly they want to live in safe neighbourhoods where they are connected with friendly, helpful people 

Children love Ballarat for its community and its infrastructure (playgrounds and facilities) 

Ballarat City Council received the final report at its 28 July meeting and it will be published on Council’s website. 

The findings have been used to help develop key strategic documents including the draft Community Vision, Council Plan and the Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan, along with the Public Art Policy and a new Municipal Early Years Plan. 

Art Gallery of Ballarat General Service Agreement extended 

The Art Gallery of Ballarat’s General Service Agreement with Ballarat City Council will be extended by six months, after having already been extended by 12 months at the end of June 2020. 

The two extensions will allow for a governance review into the Art Gallery of Ballarat Board and the Gallery Foundation’s activities to be finalised. 

A Governance Review presentation will be made to Council in August on a proposed model. 

It is being completed by Positive Solutions and Harwood Andrews and will ensure greater gallery efficiencies, including a fundraising strategy. 

It will also allow the gallery to plan exhibitions up to three years in advance, rather than working within an allocated annual budget. 

Other galleries also undergoing similar reviews, including Shepparton Art Museum and Murray Art Museum Albury, have also been consulted. 

The previous General Service Agreement was also tied to the gallery’s café lease but this will be excluded from the six-month extension as it is now a City of Ballarat lease, not an Art Gallery of Ballarat Board lease.