SA Water Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan · SA Water Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan 2017-2020 Consolidate actions January 2017-December 2017 Stretch actions through to December

SA Water Stretch

Reconciliation Action Plan

2017-2020 Consolidate actions

January 2017-December 2017 Stretch actions through to

December 2017-June 2020

Governmentof South Australia

Roch Cheroux SA Water Chief Executive

Reconciliation is about bringing people together, promoting equality, respecting heritage and working to find the best outcomes possible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

SA Water works on Aboriginal lands – on culturally sensitive and significant sites across South Australia. We have relationships with many communities who help guide us in our projects and how we operate on the land and waters. Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees bring a wide breadth of knowledge, skills and experience to our teams.

Reconciliation is important for us as a water business, employer, government agency, land owner and operator. It is part of who we are. It is part of what we do. It is crucial to our success.

Shane Blogg (Gunnai/Kurnai) SA Water Workforce Sustainability Coordinator

As an Aboriginal employee at SA Water, reconciliation for me is about opening your eyes to all cultures whether Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal. As individuals we cannot change the past, but we can certainly acknowledge what has happened and move forward side by side. As an organisation that covers all parts of South Australia and into New South Wales and Victoria, we have the perfect platform to change people’s lives whether that’s through employment or a better way of life.

As an employee who has been part of SA Water’s Reconciliation Action Plan since its inception, I am proud of what our organisation has achieved. But in saying that, I believe we have so much more that we can do for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This Reconciliation Action Plan gives us the foresight to challenge and deliver some key actions for the future.

Holly Aldenhoven (Garawa/Yanguwa) SA Water Business Support Officer

I believe that reconciliation should be about the future.

As an Aboriginal staff member reconciliation means to me the future – working together and equality. How we openly see, treat and accept Aboriginal people.

Therefore reconciliation should involve gaining an understanding of Aboriginal culture. This is developed through the culture awareness sessions.

This will create more understanding and make connections that help Aboriginal people feel welcome when starting a new job.

Shane Innes SA Water Service Desk Lead

Reconciliation is about acknowledging and having an awareness of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander way of life both past and present. It is about valuing and respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and ensuring they are presented with the opportunities and skills to develop and excel so that current gaps in health, education and employment are minimised.

A key part of reconciliation for me is contributing to SA Water initiatives to provide positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Raising awareness of the Reconciliation Action Plan, partaking in cultural awareness training, as well as working closely with Aboriginal employees have been rewarding experiences.

I believe reconciliation is an important ongoing partnership for all people to drive respect, equality and inclusion for all Australians.

Leticia Mooney Business owner and SA Water customer

When I heard that SA Water was putting together a reconciliation statement, it made me realise how many of us don’t commit to putting our ethics on paper. In so doing, SA Water is making itself publicly accountable to its approach to unity and respect.

Few organisations have as strong a need to do this as SA Water. As South Australia’s custodian of water supply, treatment, and use, SA Water works closely with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, and not just in supply and treatment, but also in the preservation of important wetlands, springs, and other sources right across the state.

For this keystone organisation to take a formal position in respecting not only the Traditional Owners of the lands, but the lands themselves, this is a landmark day. Well done, SA Water. It makes me proud to be a resident and business owner in the state.

SA Water Chief Executive Roch Cheroux (third from left) with some of our Aboriginal employees: Katelyn Launer, Jeff Smith and Ben Denison.

Reconciliation – in our eyesAs an employer, we want to see our people flourish and the cultural diversity of our employees embraced and celebrated. Providing the right opportunities, support and encouragement for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees is a key to our success.

Our vision for reconciliation Across the vast lands on which we operate, we want to see businesses, communities and individuals thrive. Being respectful of Traditional Ownership, sharing knowledge and skills, and protecting cultural heritage are keys to ensuring the best outcomes for South Australia.

As a service provider, we want to ensure we meet our customers’ expectations and offer them a great experience. It is important we provide the right services, in the right ways, to our culturally diverse community and ensure we listen to what our customers are telling us.

We support Reconciliation Australia’s aim of closing the life expectancy gap that exists between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. We achieve this by:

– providing safe clean drinking water

– supporting communities to improve their health and wellbeing

– protecting the environment and recognising the ongoing connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to the environments on which our services rely

– providing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through education initiatives, employment, training and partnerships.

2017-2020 RECONCIL IATION ACTION PLAN2017-2020 RECONCIL IATION ACTION PLAN

Our business World class water services for a better life – this is our vision to put our 1.6 million customers at the heart of everything we do.

By delivering safe, sustainable and affordable drinking water, recycled water and wastewater services, we aim to support growth, development and quality of life for the community.

Our head office is in Adelaide’s Victoria Square/Tarndanyangga, but our 1500 employees are located across the state, from Ceduna on the far west coast, to Mount Gambier in the south east, throughout the Riverland region and the far north. We also have employees based across the border in New South Wales and Victoria operating and maintaining locks, weirs and Lake Victoria. We have about 30 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees who work in a variety of roles across the state and just over the borders.

Our services extend to the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara and Maralinga Tjarutja lands and Aboriginal Lands Trust communities.

While SA Water Corporation was established in 1994, our history stretches back to the 1850s and we remain a publicly owned government business.

Our RAP This 2017-2020 Reconciliation Action Plan is our third formal RAP and reflects on the work we have done to date with our first Reconciliation Action Plan process involvement established in 2011. This Reconciliation Action Plan consolidates actions and then stretches into the future.

Looking back, we have had many successes, including:

– Engaging with Aboriginal communities, including Traditional Owners and Elders across South Australia and at Lake Victoria

– Recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into traineeships

– Attendance and input into the Kungun Ngarrindjeri Yunnan Agreement (KNYA) meetings

– Acknowledging and respecting Traditional Owners and Elders when working on country

– Supporting cross-government initiatives in relation to the protection and management of Aboriginal heritage sites, objects and remains

– Protecting and managing Aboriginal sites through developing and implementing Cultural Heritage Management Plans for SA Water landholdings and operational facilities where sites of Aboriginal cultural heritage significance have been identified

– Seeking funding for research projects on responsible water use and conservation, which includes development of community water conservation plans in remote regional communities

– Links with vocational educators – for scholarships, work experience and employment opportunities

Looking forward, there is so much more we can do.

The 2017-2020 RAPOur new RAP sets out how we will be working to achieve our aim for Reconciliation over the next four years. This RAP will be championed by the General Manager (GM) Strategy Performance and Innovation and our Aboriginal Co-Chair to ensure its success. It has been designed around the three areas we need to focus on to deliver successful outcomes:

– People – supporting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees to thrive

– Partners – supporting businesses and using our influence to drive great supplier outcomes

– Water – supporting communities in new ways with safe, clean water and education

Each of the key areas has been broken into two distinct phases: consolidate and stretch actions.

Consolidate actions are our priority actions to be achieved by December 2017. These actions focus on what we need to do to embed our previous commitments, ensuring they become part of the way we do business and setting the foundation for our stretch actions.

Our stretch actions will be delivered over the following three years and aim to build on previous commitments through actions focused on embedding real cultural change across the organisation, supporting our people and providing economic opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

By having a four year RAP, SA Water is taking a long term approach to progress that aligns with our business planning cycles and ensures the actions can be fully embedded into our business.

Each action is also linked back to the Reconciliation Australia focus areas:

– Relationships – the meaningful relationships we have with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities enhance our workplace, the services we offer and the value we add to the communities we serve.

– Respect – we are committed to building awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultures. We will ensure all employees and contractors embrace, respect and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Cultures and Histories.

– Opportunities – we will create genuine opportunities for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and businesses to flourish across the state.

The actions detailed in this Reconciliation Action Plan have been endorsed by the SA Water Board, Chief Executive (CE), Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Reconciliation Australia. However, it is a document that will evolve as we continue our reconciliation journey.

We maintain a detailed action register that will continue to be monitored and reported against to ensure timeframes and deliverables are achieved. This will include reviewing actions on an annual basis to ensure they continue to be effective, remain relevant and meet the organisational commitment. The findings will be reported to our leadership team and used to improve the plan.

SA Water serves customers across the state, from metropolitan Adelaide, to remote communities.

This 2017-2020 Reconciliation Action Plan is our third RAP and reflects on the work we have done to date, consolidates actions and then stretches into the future.


APY Lands trade training support centre at Umuwas

SA Water Remote Communities Group works with Federal and State agencies, Aboriginal land holding authorities and communities in the provision of water and wastewater services to 18 designated Aboriginal communities in regional and remote areas of South Australia. The work is critical to ensuring the ongoing supply of safe and clean drinking water and sewage services to these communities. An important part of the program is the employment of local Community Water Services Officers.

The Remote Communities Group also works closely with other State Government agencies on a range of inter-government and coordination related activities such as natural resource management, housing standards and programs, Australian Army programs, and municipal services. Aboriginal education, employment and training initiatives are also promoted and supported through this program. The group has also been instrumental in the development of ‘mainstreaming’ service provision proposals associated with some of these communities as an important reconciliation initiative.

Tauondi college sponsorship program

Tauondi Aboriginal College in Port Adelaide is an independent college that provides post-secondary education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. SA Water has been partnering with Tauondi for over five years offering four work experience placements each year to students undertaking either Business Administration and/or Information Technology. Students are given a four week placement to gain experience working on a full time basis to gain additional skills that relate to their studies.

The Living Loans program

SA Water’s Living Loans program aims to provide linkages with schools, extending learning opportunities by having staff share their knowledge and experience of what we do. As part of the RAP, the program has been extended to target opportunities to ‘loan’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees to schools to speak about their personal journey within the organisation and learn more about what SA Water does in the reconciliation space. The program aims to provide student with ideas about future employment opportunities by providing role models.

The RAP Committee and Aboriginal Collective This Reconciliation Action Plan has been developed by our Reconciliation Action Plan Committee which oversees the development and delivery of the actions in our RAP. The committee is chaired by our General Manager (GM) Strategy Performance and Innovation and includes representatives nominated by each General Manager across SA Water. This diversity brings a mix of skills, views and experience to reflect the breadth of SA Water’s activities.

The committee works under an established term of reference, meeting once a quarter to monitor and oversee the delivery of the actions in our RAP.

For this RAP we have also nominated a Co-Chair, an external recognised Aboriginal community member to provide additional guidance and insight to our actions.

The committee is supported by our Aboriginal Collective, a group formed in 2016 to bring together and give voice to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. The Collective has an important role in guiding the actions in this plan. The Collective meet on a quarterly basis for discussion.

Former Tauondi College student, now SA Water employee, Jeff Smith at work in our Information Services area.

This Reconciliation Action Plan has been developed by our Reconciliation Action Plan Committee which oversees the development and delivery of the actions in our RAP.

The launch of our first RAP in 2011.

The Kauwi interpretive centre support

‘Kauwi’ in the local Kaurna language means ‘water’. Input from the local Kaurna community was instrumental in the design and development of the Kauwi Interpretive Centre which is part of the Adelaide Desalination Plant. The centre provides educational opportunities to showcase the importance of water in a cultural context and the interconnection of all living things as part of telling the story of water in South Australia. Students can also discover the cultural importance of the land to the Traditional Owners, through displays, problem-solving activities and tours. The centre also includes a bush tukka garden where students can learn about the use of plants by the Kaurna people.

2017-2020 RECONCIL IATION ACTION PLAN 2017-2020 RECONCIL IATION ACTION PLAN

People Through a range of initiatives, we are seeking to grow our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander workforce and ensure employees thrive.

Supporting our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees to thrive

CONSOLIDATE – BY DECEMBER 2017

Action/deliverable Measurable targets Lead responsibility

Raise internal awareness of RAP:

– Launch 2017-2020 RAP across the state to all employees Six launch/celebration events fully implemented and delivered by July 2017

General Manager Communications & Engagement

– Develop and implement communication plan using all available channels 60% of SA Water staff aware of the RAP by Dec 2017

– Engage with SLT leaders in the delivery of RAP outcomes RAP Chair to provide a status update quarterly to the SLT

Implement cultural awareness training program:

– 2017-2020 Cultural Awareness training program developed and endorsed by Senior Leadership Team, including:

Program endorsed by August 2017

General Manager People & Safety

• Undertaking a survey across the business to understand current staff levels of awareness towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Cultures and Histories

Dec 2017

• Four face-to-face cultural awareness training sessions delivered across the business

Dec 2017

• Targeted face-to-face cultural awareness training for SLT, Senior Managers and RAP Committee members

100% of SLT, Senior Managers and RAP committee completed the training by Dec 2017

• E-learning on RAP finalised and included in induction of all employees, as well as promoted more broadly to employees

100% of all new starters completed the E-Learning module. 50% of all staff completed the E-Learning module by Dec 2017.

Embed Welcome to/Acknowledgement of Country protocols:

– Acknowledgement of Country protocols refreshed and communicated Random audits quarterly show protocols embedded and being followed.


– Meeting templates redesigned to add Acknowledgement of Country New templates by April 2017

– Posters developed and visible in meeting rooms Posters in place by May 2017

– Acknowledgement of Country plaque in SA Water House and key regional sites in time for National Reconciliation Week

Plaques unveiled in May 2017

– Framework and communication strategy in place to ensure that Welcome to Country and Acknowledgment to Country is undertaken at significant events. Framework to include:

• Local Traditional Owners are invited to provide a Welcome to Country, at all significant external events each year, including our NRW event. Significant events are events that the Minister and/or a MP or Senior Dignitary are invited to attend.

• An Acknowledgement of Country at internal/external events that the Board Chair and/or CE are invited to.

• An Acknowledgement of Country at Board Meetings, SLT Meetings and business unit briefings.

• A key contacts list for organising a Welcome to Country is maintained and reviewed.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols are embedded within a protocol document relevant to State and/or Territory and specific local communities.

Framework and communication strategy implemented by August 2017

Actions are cross referenced to Reconciliation Australia requirements around:

RELATIONSHIPS RESPECT OPPORTUNITIES

Administration Assistant Zakk Gallo, with Berri Workshop Coordinator John Persinos and

Business Support Officer Alice Breeding.

The tables in the following pages are grouped into SA Water’s key focus areas; People, Partners and Water.



Celebrate Aboriginal Culture through a range of highly visual, meaningful and prominent statements and artworks:

– Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander designed version of SA Water logo developed to promote reconciliation

Logo used on all relevant communications by June 2018


– Information page on final quarter bill each year (April-June) to promote reconciliation

Rebranded bill each April (2018, 2019 and 2020)


– SA Water building wrapped in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander artwork during National Reconciliation Week

Building rebadged each May (2018, 2019 and 2020)

Facilities Management

– Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander flags flown outside SA Water House, Berri, Pt Lincoln, Mt Gambier, Crystal Brook and Lake Victoria offices

Flags installed permanently by December 2018

Facilities Management

– Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander artworks installed and appropriately signposted at prominent sites in SA Water offices throughout the state. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees encouraged to submit works – water to be the key theme

Artworks sourced by June 2018 and installed by December 2018


Embed Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander attraction and retention strategy:

– Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employee rotation scheme in place – extended to include opportunities across government agencies

≥ 2.5% Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees in each business group at end 2018

General Manager People and Safety

– High school careers program to highlight Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employment opportunities in water industry

Overall 4.5% Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employment at end 2020

– Whole-of-employee-life plans implemented, including opportunities to work through levels of business

At least 1.5% Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander representation in management roles and 2 employees in Senior Management roles at end 2020

Turnover for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees ≤ overall rate

≥ Two employees in rotation scheme

STRETCH


Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Collective of employees supported to be successful and influential:

– Collective meetings structured, with Terms of Reference endorsed, to ensure feedback to/from the group and close working relationship with RAP Committee

80% Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employee participation at meetings held twice a year. 2017-2020 (metro/regional)


– Chief Executive to attend each meeting to hear directly from employees CE participation at all meetings CE

– Collective representative(s) to attend RAP Committee meetings Collective representation at all meetings


– Promote Aboriginal Collective and establish AquaNet site for sharing of information

AquaNet site established by May 2017


– External mentor sought for Collective to offer advice on impact and influence Mentor attendance at one meeting annually


– Engage with existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to consult on employment strategies, including professional development.

Personal Development plans implemented annually by September

General Manager People and Safety

Increase Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander attraction and retention:

– Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Recruitment & Retention plan endorsed by SLT, including:

Plan endorsed by June 2017 General Manager People & Safety

• Aboriginal recruitment team member ≥ 2.5% Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees at end 2017

• Employment pathways program that includes scholarships and graduate placements

≥ One graduate placement

• Job advertisements explicitly stating Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people encouraged to apply

100% of job adverts include statement

• Fortnightly advertisements in Koori Mail encouraging readers to visit SA Water website for job details (as a minimum)

Fortnightly advert in Koori Mail

• Concept developed for whole-of-employee-life plans for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander staff, including opportunities to work through levels of business

Turnover for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees ≤ overall staff turnover rate

• Voluntary cultural mentoring program for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander staff (and supervisors)

≥ Four Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees participate

• Voluntary work secondment program for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees piloted within SA Water

≥ Two Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees participate

Celebrate NAIDOC Week and encourage participation:

– SA Water to sponsor Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees and their partners to attend state NAIDOC Ball

Two tables fully allocated to employees and partners


– Ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff are aware of cultural leave entitlements. Cultural leave can be used to attend NAIDOC events

Staff and managers are informed of cultural leave provisions by April 2017

– NAIDOC Week (2-9 July 2017) events to be publicised internally, including through corporate calendar

Calendar publicised April 2017

– All Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees encouraged to attend NAIDOC Week events, access cultural leave entitlements where appropriate, and share celebration stories with other employees

This Week (e-news) to reflect NAIDOC Theme – Our Languages Matter – with at least one article in original language


Celebrate and participate in National Reconciliation Week (NRW):

– Ensure that the SLT, RAP Committee and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees and their immediate managers attend one external NRW event each year

≥ 50% representation of each relevant group, attend the Annual NRW Breakfast annually


– All NRW events to be publicised and promoted through corporate calendar Calendar updated in May, annually

– All employees encouraged through special video message from Chief Executive to participate in at least one of the NRW events

Mid-May, annually

Communicate SA Water’s commitment to reconciliation:

– Produce a statement of commitment – with an emphasis on the important role water plays in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Culture – signed by the Chief Executive and Chairman of the SA Water Board

Statement on display at major SA Water offices and workshops in May 2017



Electrical Tradesperson Tristyn Laccos-Barrett (right), with Jason Nagy.


Celebrate NAIDOC Week and encourage participation:

– Sponsor and support community NAIDOC Week events at key locations (Lake Victoria in 2018 and then other sites until 2020)

Events held in July, annually from 2018


Cultural awareness/immersion training program:

– No less than five face-to-face cultural awareness training sessions delivered across the business annually

Five sessions completed annually 2018 – 2020.

No less than 30% of all staff having attended at least one workshop by June 2020

General Manager People & Safety

– RAP E-Learning delivered to the business 100% of staff undertaken the training by Dec 2018

– Staff to undertake cultural immersion learning activities 100% of SLT to undertake activities in 2018. 100% of RAP committee to undertake activities in 2019

National Reconciliation Week events:

– At least two internal National Reconciliation Week events hosted by SA Water (regional/metro) with an emphasis on water. All events will be registered with Reconciliation Australia. All events will be placed on the SA Water corporate calendar and the NRW calendar

Events held, with high turnout of employees


Kenny Dixon at work in the Port Lincoln workshop.



Supporting Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander business growth:

– Require capital delivery framework contracts to support Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander opportunities in terms of:

• % hours employment for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders and

• % investment in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander sub-contractors

Evaluation criteria included for 100% of framework contracts that seek improved performance over time

General Manager Business Services

– Develop commercial relationships with Aboriginal-owned businesses ≥ Five commercial arrangements established annually by 2018, with >$100,000 total spend annually by 2020

– Award work to suppliers based on proven commitment to work effectively and respectfully with Aboriginal communities, for example, suppliers who have RAPs

Template Evaluation methodology updated by June 2017 with annual audit confirming its application within SA Water

– Provide targeted training to Aboriginal businesses to increase business acumen (e.g. how to tender for work in the water industry, establishing business plans)

Two training sessions annually from 2018

Mutually beneficial partnerships:

– Work with Aboriginal communities to establish ‘Working on Country’ projects on SA Water land that include training and support to enable their ongoing capacity to undertake works on behalf of other agencies and businesses

Minimum two Aboriginal communities each year from 2018 to 2020

General Manager Asset Operation & Delivery

– Signage program rolled out at SA Water sites of significance and communicated internally and externally

Signage at > 2 sites each year to 2020


Provide sponsorship opportunities to forge greater links between SA Water and Aboriginal organisations:

– Provide sponsorship or in-kind support for Tauondi College, in particular opportunities to support its community event caravans

Partnership in place by March 2018


– Help the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Trade Training Centre at Umuwa build its capacity to ensure it has a strengthened business model and sustainable future, through funding an FTE support staff role and/or provision of additional accommodation

Partnership in place by March 2018


– Develop an online kit for all schools that promotes the Kauwi Interpretive Centre and disseminates its message about the importance of water to culture and life

Kit developed in 2018 and launched in February 2019


– Extend Living Loans program to include SA Water employees who have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and/or work with Aboriginal communities, to role model and explain opportunities available

Program extended in 2018 General Manager Communications & Engagement

– Work with the Jawun organisation to explore financial and/or secondment opportunities for SA Water and our employees, establish a program for these opportunities and report on success stories

Program in place by May 2018 General Manager People & Safety

STRETCH


Increasing Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity:

– Work with partners to capture information about Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees and sub-contractors and use this to set a baseline for contract evaluation criteria

Data analysed and new evaluation criteria proposed by August 2017


– Identify procurements that may be sourced from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander owned businesses and share knowledge with suppliers and managers

Tender opportunities provided for 100% of procurements that fall within scope of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander businesses

– Briefing sessions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses on SA Water’s forward procurement plan/ways to tender for SA Water

One briefing session, held annually

– Update procurement policies to allow for greater access for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander business to be awarded work

Policy updated by June 2017

Build and maintain mutually beneficial partnerships with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and organisations:

– Work with communities to develop a program to place signage at SA Water sites that are of cultural heritage significance, emphasising the relationship between the community and the land, and signalling SA Water’s respect for local Aboriginal Culture

Program developed by December 2017, ready for implementation over RAP period


– Develop and promote awareness of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community engagement plan

Draft engagement plan developed with community input, including fully costed actions to be endorsed by December 2017



Supporting Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander businesses and using our influence to drive mutually benefiting outcomes

Partners


Water

Supporting communities in new ways with safe, clean water and education


Work with Aboriginal communities to provide access to water services for a better life:

– Review connection opportunities for communities in close proximity to existing water network (but not connected) and design options for supporting access

Recommendations to SLT by June 2017


– Subject to endorsement, design connections plan and work with communities to determine approach

Plan developed by December 2017

Support Aboriginal customers who may be experiencing hardship:

– Develop Hardship Policy and procedures specifically accessible to Aboriginal people, with targeted communication (e.g. posters in community centres and advertisements in the Koori Mail)

Communications plan and policy implemented by September 2017

General Manager Customer Delivery


Students from schools in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands visiting the Kauwi Centre.

Launch of cultural activities at the Kauwi Interpretive Centre, Adelaide Desalination Plant.


Work with Aboriginal communities to provide access to water services for a better life:

– Establish partnerships to build Aboriginal organisations relevant to our sphere of influence – developing and delivering a program to improve services and deliver ongoing maintenance to communities which do not have access to water management capabilities

Two partnerships established annually from 2018 to 2020


– Develop a policy and process to loan or ‘retire’ appropriate and functioning plant and equipment to assist communities, providing training support to ensure the safe use of machinery

Policy in place by June 2018 General Manager Asset Operation & Delivery

– Update Cultural Heritage policy to reflect a ‘no damage approach’ when designing capital and operational water and wastewater solutions on the basis of no damage cultural heritage sites, working with communities to develop appropriate alternatives

Update policy to reflect ‘no damage’ approach by July 2019.


– Explore opportunities to expand wastewater reuse schemes into communities to improve liveability through green space

Plan for expansion delivered to SLT by June 2019


Work with Aboriginal communities to promote value of water and encourage sustainable use:

– Establish sponsorship program (in-kind and/or financial) to support replacement/upgrade of water systems in Aboriginal communities

Program established by June 2018

General Manager Customer Delivery

– Support development of community-owned education programs which focus on the importance of water from the community’s perspective that can be rolled out through SA Water’s education activities

Initial program developed by December 2018


Extend schools program with activities that strengthen relationships with young Aboriginal people and promote water sustainability:

– Promote the Kauwi centre and its message around the value of water more widely and support transport of students from Aboriginal schools to visit the centre

Promotional plan in place by June 2017


– Design new schools water conservation activities for remote communities Program in place by January 2018

– Roll out program for Aboriginal schools to improve their water systems Program in place by January 2018

– Incorporate more opportunities into school programs for sessions at APY Trade Training Centre at Umuwa focusing on careers, water and sustainability

At least one session annually from 2018

– Promote Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali program to schools that SA Water engages with

Online schools booking form to include information about the Narragunnawali program by Dec 2017

Promote the importance of water to Aboriginal communities through a range of communication channels:

– Work with Traditional Owners to develop knowledge sharing sessions and posters to raise awareness (internal/external) of the importance of South Australia’s water

Two knowledge sharing sessions annually from 2018


– Develop a book, with input from Aboriginal communities across the state, about the importance of water in different areas, including traditional language clips, imagery and input from employees. Publish with a view to sale, with proceeds to be delivered to appropriate charity

Book launch in 2020 as part of the launch of the next RAP

STRETCH


Governance, progress & reporting

Action Measurable targets Lead responsibility

Refresh, review and update the RAP:

– Update representation of the RAP Committee to include: SLT representatives, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander employees (minimum x 2) and Aboriginal co-chair

New-look Committee in place by April 2017

General manager Communications & Engagement

– Update the RAP committee Terms of Reference Terms of Reference updated by July 2017

– Meet at least four times per year to monitor and report on RAP implementation Four RAP committee meetings held annually

– 2017 - 2020 draft RAP sent to Reconciliation Australia for feedback By January 2017

– 2017 - 2020 draft RAP submitted to Reconciliation Australia for formal endorsement

By March 2017

– Establish budget for RAP activities By March 2017, then annually

– Links established with external Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander reference group to provide ongoing advice and guidance

By December 2017

– Work with other government agencies to promote RAP work and share experiences, leveraging opportunities to work together

By June 2018

Report achievements, challenges and learning:

– RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire completed and submitted to Reconciliation Australia for inclusion in Annual Impact Measurement Report

Submitted September annually 2017-2020


– Scorecard produced for Board and RAP Committee to show progress Reported quarterly 2017-2020

– Scorecard communicated (internally and externally) on visual RAP report template, including in public spaces such as the foyer and on the SA Water website

Updated quarterly 2017-2020

– Information about RAP progress shown prominently in the SA Water Annual Report, highlighting reconciliation is a key business consideration

Reported September, annually 2017-2020

– Aboriginal communities engaged through face-to-face meetings to show RAP progress and to seek input

≥ Two meetings annually from 2018

– Investigate participation in the RAP Barometer Provide investigation outcomes to SLT by March 2018

– Liaise with Reconciliation Australia to develop our fourth RAP based on learnings, challenges and achievements in this current RAP

Liaise with Reconciliation Australia quarterly in 2019.


Being open and transparent, with good governance to guide us


SA Water Corporation ABN 69 336 525019

Head office: 250 Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga Adelaide SA 5000

Postal address: GPO Box 1751 Adelaide SA 5001

www.sawater.com.au

Enquiries related to this plan should be directed to our Customer Service Centre on 1300 650 950 or via [email protected].

When we discussed what reconciliation means to us personally as Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Australians, the most common word to come out of these team discussions was respect, a respect for the culture, the past and the heritage. In celebration of NAIDOC week and in respect for reconciliation, each of our teams designed a boomerang to represent our understanding and commitment to reconciliation.

The boomerang is a traditional tool used in some Aboriginal communities. It returns to the path from which it was thrown and is a symbol of Aboriginal history. For us, this is a demonstration of the commitment and focus we have as a team, strengthening trust and building relationships with Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Australians.

This resulted in four visually different artworks that feature similar messages of connection, equality, encouragement, promotion and recognition. We want this to be a returning message that we strive for now and into the future.

- Environmental Services Team

I-0001Government

of South Australia

Documents

SA Water Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan · SA Water Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan 2017-2020 Consolidate actions January 2017-December 2017 Stretch actions through to December