Reconciliation Action Plan - CleanawayAW)-Toxf… · play in contributing to improved economic and social outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. As such,

Our vision for reconciliation is to bridge the gap between our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers. We aim to do this through strong relationships with Traditional Owners of the lands that we provide services to. We believe reconciliation creates a better working environment and in depth understanding of each others cultures. Our vision for reconciliation is to bridge the gap between our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers. We aim to do this through strong relationships with Traditional Owners of the lands that we provide services to. We believe reconciliation creates a better working environment and in depth understanding of each other’s cultures. Our vision for reconciliation is to bridge the gap between our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers. We aim to do this through strong relationships with Traditional Owners of the lands that we provide services to. We believe reconciliation creates a better working environment and in depth understanding of each other’s cultures. Our vision for reconciliation is to bridge the gap between our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers. We aim to do this through strong relationships with Traditional Owners of the lands that we provide services to. We believe reconciliation creates a better working environment and in depth understanding of each other’s cultures.

Reconciliation Action Plan

On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I congratulate Toxfree on the launch of their second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)—an Innovative RAP.

Our RAP program is integral in effecting social change in workplaces around the country. By assisting organisations to formulate

their own plan of action, the RAP program lays the foundation for real respect and understanding between non-Indigenous Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

As an industry leader, Toxfree has an important role to play in contributing to improved economic and social outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. As such, I am very pleased to see a strong emphasis in this RAP on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and retention, support for Aboriginal owned businesses and community engagement within the areas Toxfree works.

This RAP builds on Toxfree’s reconciliation achievements to date and commits to a new set of meaningful and sustainable actions. It will help to strengthen the innovative initiatives Toxfree already delivers, as well as, assist to develop new partnerships, activities and opportunities to advance reconciliation.

I wish Toxfree all the best as they implement this new RAP and commend the organisation for its genuine commitment to reconciliation and to improving the wellbeing of First Australians. I look forward to working together with Toxfree to build a reconciled, just and equitable Australia.

Justin Mohamed Chief Executive Officer Reconciliation Australia

Statement from the CEOReconciliation Australia

It gives me great pleasure to present Toxfree’s Reconciliation Action Plan for 2015–2017 and the 2015 review. As a leading Industrial Services and Waste Management company in Australia, Toxfree is committed to playing its part in helping end the disparity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

peoples and other Australians through its work within the community. Toxfree has a commitment to HarmFree culture in every aspect of our corporate life.

Toxfree’s Reconciliation Action Plan is about building constructive partnerships, promoting Australia’s unique Aboriginal heritage and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, jobs and sustainable economic development. Toxfree is focused on education as a pathway to success. Toxfree’s partnerships with Traditional Owner groups and educational institutes focus on increasing traineeships within the business and to the successful completion of a 12 month traineeship program.

Toxfree’s involvement is one where innovation and leadership shown by the company can achieve and deliver to the community its goals. Toxfree will aim to build on the significant gains it has made with each employee both new and current, and looks towards the future exploring new opportunities that create shared value for Toxfree and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Toxfree’s commitment is to ensure its sustainability and ethical behaviour within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples community is part of the core of what we stand for as a company. By operating a national company in a socially responsible manner, the decisions Toxfree make today will ensure that the future for our environment and our business is sustainable. Toxfree prides itself on positive, long term relationships with all customers, employees and stakeholders.

Toxfree’s behavioural based safety mantra is “HarmFree” and is engrained in the culture of the business and is focused on the principles of; exceeding customer expectations with no harm to people, no harm to the environment, and no harm to resources. These are the values that are built into every activity undertaken, including respecting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait neighbours and respecting their culture in everything that we do.

In addition to these standards, we have the Toxfree Reconciliation Action Plan, which articulates our actions and targets promoting and achieving reconciliation. Toxfree supports all employees with cross-cultural training, promotes opportunities to participate in cultural events, respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols and cultural heritage, and provides a range of opportunities to support education, training, employment and business development.

The development of the new Reconciliation Action Plan not only better reflects our goals, but has consolidated our thinking and our efforts to support and achieve reconciliation within our workplaces, our businesses and the communities in which we operate.

Toxfree’s partnership with the Traditional Owner groups will continue, it will grow to a greater relationship as Toxfree help others to achieve balance in their lives around the community throughout out Reconciliation Action Plan. These relationships will assist Toxfree in strengthening its knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and support the building of a better future for all Australians.

Steve Gostlow Managing Director

Statement from the Managing DirectorToxfree Action Plan 2015 – 2017

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Our national network of waste management facilities and treatment technologies ensures Toxfree can provide innovative and sustainable waste management solutions for all types of waste including commercial, household, industrial, construction and hazardous waste. Our range of onsite industrial services includes industrial cleaning, vacuum loading, contaminated site remediation, high pressure water jetting, tank cleaning, non-destructive digging, emergency response services and disaster recovery.

With over 55 facilities nationally and employing a team of over 1100 people, including 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Toxfree has a portfolio of treatment technologies and technical expertise to enable the cost effective remediation and treatment of a broad range of solid, liquid, industrial and hazardous waste. Servicing over 20,000 customers nationally, Toxfree provides solutions for some of Australia’s leading businesses and government organisations throughout Australia.

Toxfree Solutions Ltd (Toxfree) is one of Australia’s leading

environment, waste management and industrial service providers.

Our core values, “Safe, Reliable and Sustainable”, underpin our commitment

to offer our customers the safest, most reliable and sustainable waste

management solutions we can.

Our business

Toxfree acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultural, personal and professional rights to share in an equal, just and reconciled community.

Our vision for reconciliation is to bridge the gap between our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers. We aim to do this through strong relationships with Traditional Owners of the lands that we provide services to. We believe reconciliation creates a better working environment and in depth understanding of each other’s cultures.

Our vision for reconciliationToxfree is committed to reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander people and other Australians. We acknowledge the values of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ heritage, cultures and

histories and recognise the unique position of Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander peoples’ as the original custodians of Australia.

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Toxfree has over 57 facilities nationally. We employ a team of over 1100 staff including 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Acknowledging our countryToxfree is proud to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which our sites are located where we gather as employees.

Toxfree has Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment initiatives, education and partnership agreements in place as well as promoting respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. The RAP will help to sustain reconciliation initiatives as a core focus for our company.

RAP Champions RAP Steering Committee networks have been established in all offices to organise activities and share information regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders cultures. These committees work to provide opportunities for all staff to attend seminars, panel discussions, cultural activities and welcoming local Traditional Owners of the area to share their culture. The Toxfree RAP working Group consists of managers from various departments and both Aboriginal and Non- Aboriginal staff.

Toxfree has appointed its managers as RAP Champions who commit to the delivery and teaching of our RAP plan within their departments. The RAP Champions have shown leadership in participating in this training which in turn provides a greater opportunity for all other employees to have an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

Toxfree is proud of our community partnerships and internal activities, such as our participation in National Reconciliation Week at all of our sites. As part of this celebration Toxfree extends the invitation to a local Traditional Owner to share their culture, knowledge and history with us.

The development of our RAP formalises our commitment to reconciliation by setting measurable targets for a number of initiatives, such as sponsorship to local communities and engaging in joint ventures with Traditional Owners, this allows Toxfree to develop and deliver on our key objectives towards meeting community commitments.

Our commitment towards developing a Reconciliation Action Plan

is an element of Toxfree’s approach in delivering improved outcomes for both

Toxfree and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan

Steve Gostlow Managing Director

Sarah Bagshawe Executive General Manager – Human Resources

Toby Edmunds General Manager – Waste Services West Coast

Nick Badyk General Manager – Waste Services East Coast

Greg Regan Indigenous Engagement Advisor

Joanne Buckingham National Marketing Manager

Sam Chami Regional Manager West Coast – Technical and Environmental Services

Liesa Gibbs Executive Assistant

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Toxfree and Pilbara Toxfree Environmental Services joint venture

Toxfree has shown the strength and significance of our RAP through

the establishment of joint ventures. After the delivery and implementation

of the RAP in 2011, Toxfree and Pilbara Toxfree Environmental

Services (PTES) have continued to work together in supporting our vision

to work as equals. This partnership has created more opportunities

for other Traditional Owners.

Our commitment to reconciliation is one that will require ongoing evaluation and investment in programs that support employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal people. Toxfree has supported other Aboriginal owned businesses through joint ventures and/or sub-contracting opportunities, allowing those businesses to develop and become sustainable in the regions where Toxfree is operating.

Toxfree’s partnership with PTES has enabled a platform for creating sustainable, solid partnerships; this is an essential step in the journey of reconciliation and the empowerment of opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. PTES is an incorporated Pilbara Aboriginal Business owned by Geoff Stocker, formerly Pilbara Logistics, and Toxfree delivering a range of multi-disciplined environmental services for clients in the mining, oil & gas, residential and commercial sectors in the Pilbara.

The PTES workforce now consists of over 100 people within the Pilbara who represent a large cross section of multidisciplinary skills. Through extensive training, personal development and engagement, PTES is able to efficiently and effectively deliver quality services to clients.

The Joint Venture has evolved significantly over the last four years, with our vision becoming a reality. We continue to create opportunities for Aboriginal people, whether through employment or business and in parallel provide a safe, reliable and sustainable service to our clients.

The employment of Aboriginal people in key recruitment and retention roles has been invaluable, offering culturally appropriate processes for the employment of Aboriginal job seekers and this is continued throughout all contracts.

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1. RelationshipsToxfree will continue to build strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians to ensure diversity and equal access to products, services and our core business activities. Toxfree has also built significant relationships around Australia with many different Traditional Owner groups. Toxfree will extend this activity to progressively include many more groups and activities.

Action Responsibility Timeline Target

RAP Working Group to oversee the development and implementation and evaluation process of the RAP.

Executive General Manager Human Resources

October 2016 • RWG oversees the development, endorsement and launch of the RAP.

• RAP Working Group to meet Quarterly.• The RAP working group comprises of Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander People and other Australians.

Connect and build relationships with Traditional Owner groups, Elders and Leaders in the communities within Toxfree’s project areas.


April 2016 • Support Staff within the community to attend and take part in specified events identified by the Indigenous Engagement Advisor.

• Publish news stories in a newsletter to contractors, clients and Traditional Owner groups, Elders and Leaders in the communities within the project area.

Toxfree will create opportunities for employees to build a mutual relationship with Aboriginal organisations in the same towns as Toxfree’s sites.

Managing Director

October 2016 • Organise at least one event in partnership with an Aboriginal organisation.

• Allow Toxfree staff to participate in activities of significance to their local Traditional Owners.

Educate, distribute and familiarise all Toxfree employees, clients and other stakeholders of the importance of the RAP along with the formalisation of Toxfree’s continuous commitment to Reconciliation and closing the gap.


June 2016 • Ensure each Toxfree site has a copy of the RAP.• Educate and inform employees about the RAP and

the RAP Working Group members within Toxfree.• Deliver and showcase Toxfree’s RAP commitments

to local communities, Traditional Owner groups, Elders, Leaders and clients.

• Toxfree will present Toxfree’s RAP commitment to all relevant areas of Toxfree to ensure they have an understanding of how their area can contribute to our RAP.

• Corporate Culecha online induction as part of Toxfree inductions to all new employees.

Celebrate National Reconciliation Week by providing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and other employees to build relationships.


27th May – 3rd June, annually

• Organise at least one internal event each year.

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2. RespectToxfree will continue to develop ways to assist our diverse workforce to acknowledge and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, lands and histories and to better understand the importance to our organisation and its core business activities and values.


Employees to understand the protocols around “Acknowledgement of Country” and “Welcome to Country” at ceremonies to ensure there is shared meaning behind the events.

Managing Director October 2016 • Develop, implement and communicate a protocol document for Toxfree.

• Identify at least one significant event for which a Welcome to Country from a Traditional Owner will be included.

• Include Acknowledgement of Country in any announcement of new contracts or partnership with the mention of local Traditional Owners within area of project.

Ensure Toxfree provide opportunities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and all other employees to attend NAIDOC Week activities and build a relationship with the local community.

Managing Director July annually • Toxfree will support or participate in a public NAIDOC Week event within the community.

• Toxfree will purchase a table and attend the Perth NAIDOC Ball each year.

• Encourage all Toxfree staff to participate in at least one event during NAIDOC Week.

• Review HR policies and procedures to ensure there are no barriers to staff participating in NAIDOC Week.

Continue to deliver and offer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Training to all employees.


30 June 2016 • Incorporate Cultural Awareness Training into the Induction program for all new employees.

• Toxfree delivers a cultural awareness training strategy for all employees.

• Identify cultural immersion opportunities we can participate in.

Provide opportunities for a mentoring program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders employees along with the encouragement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders employees to enhance the Toxfree business.


October 2016 • Encourage the internal buddy program for all new employees.• Utilise the Indigenous Engagement Advisor for effective

communication. • Toxfree will support the internal mentoring program and

positions within the business.

Toxfree will follow cultural protocols whilst working with Traditional Owner groups and explore employment opportunities for Traditional Owners.


October 2016 • Engage with Traditional Owners of each location Toxfree work in to understand and implement appropriate protocols for working on country.

• Investigate employment of Traditional Owners within Toxfree’s business.

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Toxfree will continue to provide more career and skills development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Toxfree recognise the importance of educational programs and developing skills in helping disadvantaged and young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to prepare for the workforce and our core business activities.


Toxfree will ensure the maintenance and delivery of Toxfree’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment and retention strategy.


October 2016 • Toxfree will continue with the objectives through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment and retention strategy.

• Develop and offer opportunities for career advancement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees throughout Toxfree business.

• Toxfree will ensure all reporting requirements on recruitment and retention statistics are met.

• Review HR procedures and policies to ensure barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees are able to be addressed.

• Advertise all vacancies in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media.

Toxfree will continue to diversify our supply chain with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises through strategic partnership, Joint Ventures and Memorandum of Understanding with Traditional Owners.

Chief Operating Officer

October 2016 • Establish a new business partnership each year subject to a satisfactory business case.

• Toxfree will engage at tender stage with Traditional Owners Groups with owned businesses for opportunities available upon award of contract.

• Review procurement policies so barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses are able to be addressed.

• Continue membership of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs Business Directory.

• Continue to sponsor and support the Aboriginal Business Directory WA.

• Educate staff about using Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.

• Develop at least one commercial relationship with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business.

Toxfree will sustain the employment opportunities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout the business.


October 2016 • Increase the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within each major site of Toxfree’s business.

• Follow through and continue with the traineeship program throughout the business.

• Toxfree will ensure that skilled and non-skilled Aboriginal peoples of Traditional Owner groups will be considered for employment.

• Introduce a recruitment, induction, orientation, and mentoring program in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.

• Fulfil and maintain the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employee workforce to Toxfree’s national percentage commitment.

Toxfree will support a mentoring program for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees within the business.


October 2016 • Develop a mentoring program to be accessible to each Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainee.

• Engage with Elders of the Traditional Owner group within the area on the development of the mentoring program.

• Seek assistance from Indigenous Engagement Advisor during the development of the mentoring program.

3. Opportunities

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4. Tracking progress and reporting


RAP will be reported on annually.


October 2016 September annually

• RAP progress is reported each year in the RAP.• RAP report available on Toxfree website.• Complete and submit the RAP Impact Measurement

Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia annually.

RAP will be refreshed annually.


October 2016 • RAP refreshed and approved by Toxfree Managing Director.

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Contact Indigenous Engagement Advisor 24 Sangiorgio Court, Osborne Park WA 6017 PO Box 1108, Osborne Park DC 6916 T 08 6216 7000 F 08 6216 7001 E [email protected] www.toxfree.com.au

Wakgarl NgoorndinyThe Indigenous motifs used throughout this document represent elements of the artwork created by Dianne Stack-Wynne and was purchased by Toxfree during 2013.

The Wakgarl (Rainbow Serpent) is the creator for all creation of the Noongar country. The Wakgarl creates all the landscape, waterways, hills, rocks, national parks, bushland in Noongar Boodja country. The Wakgarl influences the clouds to send down rain in due season to water the land to help the sustainable way of life throughout Noongar country. Then when her work is done she lays her head in the hill tops where she watches over her Boodja country.

Artist Dianne Stack-Wynne, her Noongar name Nayder meaning light shower of rain. Nayder is the name given to Dianne from her great grandmother, Traditional women of the Fremantle and Rockingham area.

Documents

Reconciliation Action Plan - CleanawayAW)-Toxf… · play in contributing to improved economic and social outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. As such,