We support local government’s capacity and knowledge to strengthen relationships with Victoria’s Indigenous communities.

Local government, through its strong community links and local representation, is ideally placed to provide leadership in strengthening relationships with Indigenous Australians.

Reconciliation with Australia’s traditional owners is an outcome we strive for.

We advocate a whole-of-government framework for Indigenous issues and encourage positive relationships to be developed between local government and Indigenous communities throughout Victoria.

Our advice can help councils ensure that local government structures, planning processes and service provisions are relevant and accessible to Indigenous people.

Councils can encourage greater unity, knowledge and respect for the first occupants of our land by developing partnership opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 members' brief

A members' brief about the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 land use agreement template has been released. The brief considers the Department of Justice's exposure drafts of the land use activity agreement template and the indigenous land use agreement template. 

MAV Local Government Indigenous Network

The MAV Local Government Indigenous Network is an e-network of councillors and council officers interested in promoting Indigenous issues within local government.

Current Victorian councillors and council officers can join the network's mailing list by emailing Rosemary Hancock at rhancock@mav.asn.au.

Toomnangi report

The Toomnangi report is a comprehensive survey we undertook in 2002 to compile examples of Indigenous initiatives and activities undertaken by Victorian local government.

Produced with support and assistance from the Australian and Victorian Governments, it provides ideas and case-studies that build knowledge and confidence of councils to embrace further building of relationships with their local Indigenous communities.

Indigenous partnerships resource guide

The Wurreker: local government – Indigenous partnerships resource guide provides information about Aboriginal names and events, the origins of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag, native title, and local government action plans and resources.

We developed it with support from the National Office of Local Government and the Stegley Foundation.