Luxury coastal councils are pushing for their own Indigenous Voice in Parliament in the form of an advisory committee to address issues affecting First Nations locals.
Mayor Sue Heins, of 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 a say.
The council already liaises with Aboriginal residents on specific issues and projects, but Cr Heins believes a committee would allow First Nations people to be involved in a “bigger and more meaningful” way.
The group would only advise the council on “culturally appropriate” matters such as public artworks, place names and Aboriginal heritage and conservation issues.
The idea for the proposed committee originated with First Nations locals.
Sydney’s northern beaches have a median house price of $2.5 million and a strong First Nations community of over 1,400 people.
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins, pictured, said the proposed group is a way for local Aboriginal people to have a more “meaningful” input into their local community.
“This is about local commentary… it’s about capturing what is important to our local Aboriginal community,” Cr Heins mayor’s minutes said.
But some of his fellow Northern Beaches councilors have questioned the proposal, including David Walton.
The Liberal councilor told WhatsNew2Day Australia the area has a large Aboriginal community and the council already has a great working relationship with different First Nations groups.
‘We have already engaged with the Aboriginal Land Council. We work closely together and they are already an important key holder on the 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 councilors were only notified in recent days and there were “a lot of question marks”.
‘Will the advisory board be paid? How will they be selected and what will their role be? What is the reason for forming this committee? he added.
The average price of a home in the northern beaches is $2.5 million, while average rents are $1,300 per week, according to data from Real estate investor.
But Cr Walton said the area faces the same cost of living pressures as the rest of Australia.
Northern Beaches Liberal councilor David Walton, pictured, said his community is still affected by The Voice referendum and fears they could be hurt again if people openly oppose the proposed committee.
Some Northern Beaches councilors want to implement their own Voice to Parliament in the form of a new advisory committee. In the photo, supporters of the voice referendum.
He also expressed concern about the cost of the new committee to ratepayers, with the council proposing to increase rates by 5.1 per cent, above the current inflation rate of 3.6 per cent.
‘There is 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 hike at the same meeting and with current cost of living pressures, it doesn’t seem like the right time.”
Cr Heins said questions about the group regarding its makeup and costs would 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 council to support her motion that the chief executive provide a report on the group’s formation.
The mayor assured that the advisory group would only be contacted on certain topics and issues and that the council would always have the final say.
More than 250,000 residents on Sydney’s northern beaches are fighting a proposed rate increase as well as cost of living pressures.
Cr Heins believed the creation of the group could also help form a Reconciliation Action Plan.
“While Council has strategic documents that speak to our commitment to engaging, working with and listening to our local Aboriginal community, we need action,” his mayoral minutes stated.
‘We need a more holistic approach, one that drives action and is driven by an Aboriginal Community Advisory Group working with staff to ensure we take action and not just have conversations.
“We do not have a formal Reconciliation Action Plan, which I believe is essential to demonstrate meaningful respect for our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander residents.”
Walton is concerned the proposal could affect many residents.
“My concern is that the community is still not over the pain that occurred with the Voice referendum,” he said.
‘Something we need to consider: is the community ready?
“Maybe it’s an unwarranted concern for me, but if residents aren’t prepared for this (proposed group) it could hurt people.”
WhatsNew2Day Australia has contacted Cr Heins for comment.
The defeated Voice referendum result stunned many First Nations people living on Sydney’s northern beaches.
