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Principles of Cooperation between the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council and the City of Sydney
Category:	Event
Date:	11 April 2006
Sub Category:	Statement of Commitment/Intention
Place:	Sydney
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State/Country:	New South Wales, Australia
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Alternative Names:	Principles of Cooperation between Metro and the City of Sydney
Subject Matter:	\| Economic Development \| Employment and Training \| Local Government \| Recognition Agreement / Acknowledgement \| Reconciliation \| Tourism
URL:	http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/asset/2/upload/principles_of_coop_metal_sign_400x1000_web.pdf
Summary Information:
The Principles of Cooperation agreement between the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (Metro) and the City of Sydney ('the Agreement') was signed in Redfern by the Chairperson and General Manager of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council and by the Lord Mayor and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the City of Sydney on 11 April 2006, in the presence of the Governor of New South Wales. Through signing, the parties agree to: - 'actively work together to foster reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people - actively work together to promote an increased understanding of Aboriginal culture - establish and maintain open and transparent two-way communications and consultation between the two organisations [and] - establish a framework for considering development proposals affecting Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council interests that is consistent with City of Sydney's duties and obligations under all relevant laws' (Principles of Cooperation). At the signing, Metro's Chairperson, Rob Welsh (2006), stated that the Agreement recognises the history of the area, including invasion, land handbacks and acknowledgement of frontier conflict and the Stolen Generations, '[b]ut just as importantly, it also commits us to achieving practical outcomes that will help shape the future of [Redfern] and [Sydney].' He said that Metro 'want[s] to work with the City of Sydney to ensure Indigenous people maintain our presence in Redfern and the suburb holds on to its Aboriginal identity.' Welsh explained that 'the agreement establishes formal communication, consultation and negotiation processes between Metro and the City of Sydney.' The Agreement is the sixth such agreement signed between Metro and Councils in its area (see Metro 2006b; City of Sydney 2005). Metro's 'aim is to sign a Principles of Cooperation Agreement with every Council within [its] boundaries' (Metro 2006b). Principles of Cooperation agreements are designed to create 'formal communication, consultation and negotiation processes between Metro' and each Council involved. They 'also [open] the way for possible future cross cultural training and joint community development initiatives' (see, eg, ABC 2005; Warringah Council 2005).
Detailed Information:
Supporting Statements The Supporting Statements to the Agreement recognise that 'good communication, consultation and an agreed framework for negotiating development is essential' because of the 'major stakeholder status of the parties'. The statements outline the recognised roles, priorities and constraints of the parties and the need for communication and a possible framework regarding 'development proposals on or affecting Aboriginal interests'. Through the Agreement, the parties 'will foster reconciliation' and 'will endeavour to recognise and promote understanding of the custodial obligations, spiritual and cultural ties of [Metro]'. Coordination Committee To assist with its implementation, the Agreement provides for the establishment of a Coordination Committee, consisting of the Chairperson and General Manager of Metro, the Lord Mayor and Chief Executive Officer of the City of Sydney and other agreed nominees. The Committee will meet to resolve disputes and issues relating to implementation of the Agreement and may consider 'access issues, administration, capital works and infrastructure', as well as 'cross-cultural training and joint community development initiatives'.