City to work on policy after backlash

The City of Busselton will develop an "overarching reconciliation policy" following public backlash to a council vote against a proposal to acknowledge the region's traditional owners at weekly meetings.

The Times reported this month that the motion, put forward by Councillor Ross Paine, was voted down 6-3 at the council's December 9 meeting.

Mayor Grant Henley said this week the council's preferred option was to consider the topic as part of a broader City reconciliation policy and said while the motion was not supported, "it was an important one".

"The majority of councillors are of the view that an acknowledgement of country should be considered as part of a range of strategies aimed at building and maintaining respectful relationships between indigenous peoples and other Australians," he said.

"We feel that the development of an overarching reconciliation policy, which will likely include guidelines on when and where an acknowledgment should be undertaken, must be developed in consultation with the traditional landowners."

South West traditional owner Dr Robert Isaacs told the Times he was "devastated" by some comments made during the debate at the council meeting.

Dr Isaacs said he believed some councillors did not understand what the request was about and met Cr Henley last week to work on a reconciliation policy. "I know the mayor is keen to get the reconciliation plan up and running," he said. "I will work with the council along with my family and other people. What I'm asking for, through the mayor, is to quickly put that reconciliation plan in place."

Cr Henley said other councillors were free to express their views, but the motion and ensuing discussion had elevated the issue and the development of a reconciliation policy was a "priority".

"I feel this is a very positive step forward and I hope the Wardandi people will support the process," he said.