August 21, 2018
Toowoomba councillors have supported a motion to takes the first steps in establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee.
TRC Chair of Environment and Community Cr Geoff McDonald, who moved the motion at the Council meeting on Tuesday, said this was an important step for the community.
“We need this new committee is to lead the formation of a Toowoomba Region Reconciliation Action Plan and advise Council on strategy and planning with cultural input, and also to assist in growing Indigenous tourism,” Cr McDonald said.
“We often talk about the various Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander links we have in our region and this motion will help to formalise these connections throughout the Council.
“The establishment of this important committee will provide guidance on the cultural needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island community.
“As a Council we currently do not have an officer in this area and that is a definite gap.
“At the moment there is no real contact at Council and this means that there is no access point between Council and the residents from these communities.
“The first step in forming the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee is for Council to participate in a workshop to develop the terms of reference for the committee and report back to the Environment and Community Committee Meeting on October 10.”
The Council supported the motion to develop the Terms of Reference for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee unanimously.
