ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S RITZIEST AREAS PUSHES FOR ITS OWN INDIGENOUS VOICE
- Mayor says group is a 'meaningful' way for Aboriginals to engage
- Councillor opposed said the topic could trigger people
- READ MORE: Aussie mayor demands Captain Cook statue is torn down
A ritzy beachside councils is pushing for its own Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the form of an advisory committee to address issues impacting First Nations locals.
Mayor Sue Heins from Sydney's Northern Beaches Council hopes the proposed Aboriginal community advisory group will be a way for more than 1,400 residents who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to have input.
The council already liaises with Aboriginal residents about specific matters and projects but Cr Heins believes a committee would allow First Nations people to engage in a 'greater and more meaningful' way.
The group would only advise the council on 'culturally appropriate' matters such as public art works, place names and Aboriginal heritage and conservation issues.
The idea of the proposed committee originated from First Nations locals.
'It’s local feedback … it’s about capturing what’s important to our local Aboriginal community,' Cr Heins's mayoral minute stated.
But some of her Northern Beaches councillor colleague have questioned the proposal, including David Walton.
The Liberal councillor told Daily Mail Australia that the area has a large Aboriginal community and the council already has a great working relationship with different First Nations groups.
'We already interact with the Aboriginal Land Council. We work closely and Collaboratory and they are already an important keyholder with council. And we also work closely with the Aboriginal Heritage Group,' he said.
'Are they duplicating systems and processes that already exist?'
Cr Walton said councillors were only notified over the last few days and there are 'a lot of question marks'.
'Will the advisory council be paid? How will they be selected and what will their role be? What is the driver to form this committee?' he added.
The median house price on the northern beaches is listed as $2.5m while median rents sit at $1,300 per week, according to data from Real Estate Investar.
But Cr Walton said the area faces the same cost of living pressures as the rest of Australia.
He also raised concerns about the cost of the new committee to ratepayers as the council proposes to increase rates by 5.1 per cent - above the current 3.6 per cent rate of inflation.
'There's an unknown cost associated. Are we likely to see a significant cost associated with this?' Cr Walton said.
'At a time when we are already facing a rate increase at the same meeting and with the current cost of living pressures, it doesn't seem like the right timing.'
Cr Heins said questions about the group regarding its make-up and costs will be detailed in a report compiled by the council's chief executive.
The proposed advisory committee will be a hot topic of debate at Tuesday night's council meeting, where Ms Heins will ask the council support her motion that the chief executive provides a report on forming the group.
The mayor reassured that the advisory group would only be contacted about certain topics and issues and council would always have the final say.
Cr Heins believed the creation of the group could help also form a Reconciliation Action Plan.
'While Council does have strategy documents that speak to our commitment to engaging, working with and listening to our local Aboriginal community, we need action,' her mayoral minute stated.
'We need a more holistic approach, which directs action and is driven by an Aboriginal Community Advisory Group working with staff to ensure we take actions and not just simply have conversations.
'We do not have a formal Reconciliation Action Plan, which I believe is integral in demonstrating meaningful respect for our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander residents.'
Mr Walton is worried the proposal could be triggering for many residents.
'My concern is the community still haven't gotten over the hurt that occurred with the Voice referendum,' he said.
'Something we need to consider: is the community ready?
'Maybe it's an unjustified concern of mine but if residents are not ready for this [proposed group] it could hurt people.'
Daily Mail Australia contacted Cr Heins for comment.