About the Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy
Read the Strategy
Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy PDF
Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy DOCX
The Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy is an important resource for Victorian councils. It serves as a practical guide for councils across Victoria and will help embed the voices and priorities of Aboriginal communities at a local government level. It is centred on seven strategic pillars:
- Culture, respect and trust
- Awareness and engagement
- Accountability and direction
- Governance and participation
- Economic participation
- Health and wellbeing
- Resourcing and funding
The Strategy recommends actions for Local Governments, the Victorian Government and Aboriginal communities that progress Aboriginal self-determination and reconciliation. It has been developed to support alignment of the Local Government sector with the Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework 2018-2023, the Victorian Treaty process, the Victorian Closing the Gap Implementation Plan and the work of the Yoo-rrook Justice Commission.
The Strategy includes a clear framework for shared decision-making processes and actions for Aboriginal Victorians working together with local government based on mutual control, shared power and decision-making, fairness, respect, and trust.
Thank you to all individuals, community groups and organisations who contributed to the development of the Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy.
The Minister for Local Government launched the Strategy on 21 March 2022 at an event at Parliament House Gardens in Melbourne.
The Strategy has been informed by a strong consultation process of 20 months with guidance from a Steering Committee consisting of stakeholder organisations, local government representatives and members of the Aboriginal community in addition to consultation with Traditional Owner groups, local governments and peak bodies.
The Ministerial Good Practice Guideline and General Guidance for Councils Engaging with Aboriginal Victorians
To support the release of the Strategy, the Minister for Local Government has issued a Ministerial Good Practice Guideline under the Local Government Act 2020. Accompanying the new Guideline, general Guidance has been developed to support councils with implementation of the Guideline and Strategy.
(updated March 2023)
The Ministerial Good Practice Guideline has been issued to assist Councils when engaging with Traditional Owners, Aboriginal Organisations and Community by providing a step-by-step guide for councils on how to identify, engage and build connections and develop mutually beneficial relationships.
The Guideline requires councils to take reasonable steps to give effect to the engagement principles contained within the Guideline when seeking advice and guidance from Traditional Owners when developing and maintaining their community engagement policy under the Local Government Act 2020.
The general Guidance is a covering explanatory document for the Guideline. It provides background information to councils on the different Traditional Owner groups and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) in the community, and context into the Victorian Government’s current Aboriginal Partnerships policies and into the development of the Guideline.
Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Action Plan
On 21 March 2022, the Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy replaced the Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Action Plan.
The Action Plan was launched in December 2016 as a practical resource for communities to achieve economic, equity and liveability outcomes for all Victorians through improving relationships with Aboriginal communities and councils, promoting reconciliation, and engaging Aboriginal people in planning, decision-making, employment, programs and services.
The Action Plan was reviewed through an Aboriginal self-determination approach to enable strong voice and engagement with Aboriginal communities and councils, so that the rights, culture, heritage, needs and aspirations of Aboriginal Victorians are embedded into the critical work and functioning of local government.
The review led to the creation of the broader Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy.
Further information
Read about local government and Aboriginal communities working together at Maggolee.
For more information, email: lgv@ecodev.vic.gov.au