Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
At Canterbury-Bankstown, we strive to be a place that recognises, supports, celebrates and nurtures First Nations peoples and cultures – including knowledge, cultural sites and spiritual connection to land.
We value and respect First Nations peoples and will continue to listen, engage and seek advice to continuously improve and raise awareness of First Nations cultural heritage across our City.
As part of our vision and commitment to reconciliation, we have created the CBCity 2025-2027 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.
What is the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)?
A Reconciliation Action Plan is a public commitment of an organisation’s work towards Reconciliation.
We recognise that as a local government, we have a key role to play in educating and working towards reconciliation. Our RAP outlines CBCity’s commitment to strengthening relationships, respect and opportunities with First Nations peoples. It guides how we embed reconciliation across our services, planning, culture and everyday work.
Our commitment to the Reconciliation Action Plan
Our work so far
Supporting the CBCity First Nations Cultural Hub and Resource Centre, now known as Lyora Matta (people’s meeting place). The Hub provides a welcoming space for First Nations and non-Indigenous communities to connect and learn about First Nations cultures. Find out what’s on at the Hub.
Rebranding our Leisure & Aquatic Centres’ swimming school levels, including renaming them using Dharug marine animal names. This initiative helps participants and their families learn local language and deepen their connection to culture. Explore the new names and artwork.
Partnering with and learning from the CBCity First Peoples Advisory Committee to guide our work.
Providing resources and opportunities for the community to learn about First Nations and Darug culture and language, including educational video content. Watch our First Nations videos.
Delivering cross-cultural workshops to build community understanding, such as our Cultural Capabilities training at Lyora Matta. Contact the Hub to join the waiting list for upcoming sessions.
Hosting First Nations film screenings, followed by discussions exploring cultural context with our First Nations Community Development Officer. See upcoming screenings at the Hub.
Engaging First Nations businesses, including Djinjama, and artists from Nungala Creative, to undertake a cultural mapping of the City. View the artwork that tells the story of Dharug Country and CBCity.
Upcoming projects
Developing a Cultural Protocols document. This resource is being designed for Council staff and the wider community, providing guidance on First Nations cultural protocols such as Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country, cultural practices, intellectual property and Sorry Business.
Developing and implementing an engagement plan to strengthen collaboration with First Nations stakeholders and organisations.
Delivering anti-racism training to senior leaders and team members.
Providing all Council staff and Councillors with access to Aboriginal Cultural Awareness eLearning, supporting ongoing learning and understanding.
Creating a map of First Nations lands and clan boundaries across Canterbury-Bankstown.
Engaging Elders to help map cultural heritage, to be embedded into the CBCity Planning Scheme.
Developing and implementing a First Nations recruitment, retention and professional development strategy.
First Nations Swim School Curriculum Characters
First Nations CBCity Map