Alluvium Reflect RAP 2020 - 2022 - Final

REFLECT Reconciliation Action Plan OCTOBER 2020 - JANUARY 2022

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER STATEMENT I am delighted to be starting this process towards a Reconciliation Action Plan for the Alluvium Group. I anticipate the learnings we get from moving through these actions will be of great benefit to us as an organisation and as individuals. For the business, better appreciation and understanding of the cultural implications and opportunities of our work is fundamental to our success. Afterall our job is to work with communities to improve the management of natural resources – it is hard to imagine a more relevant sector of the community than Traditional Owners. I expect for us as individuals having a Reconciliation Action Plan will broaden our horizons. I hope that it will provide a vehicle for us to consider our roles in Australian society, give us knowledge of different views and provide information about how we can fulfill our roles in a more understanding and constructive manner. There is a genuine sense of enthusiasm across the group for the actions contained in our plan so I, and the Board, are very much looking forward to getting involved in the implementation. OUR RAP WORKING GROUP Ashleigh Faranda - Consultant Matt Francey - Chief Executive Officer Christine Thompson - NSW Office Manager Olivia Blair-Holt - Consultant Lisa Walpole - NSW Regional Manager Fiona Chandler - Consultant David Winfield - Senior Consultant Phil Duncan - Senior Cultural Advisor

OUR BUSINESS Our business is consulting on natural resources and Local), Natural Resource Organisations, at least two staff members who identify as and communities. We have a particular interest Water Utilities and Catchment Management Aboriginal employees. Our business has five in water issues and have worked on many of Authorities as well as private organisations such main offices in Australia (Brisbane, Townsville, the large water/catchment issues in Australia as resources companies or urban developers. Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne) as well as over the past decade including many projects several people in regional areas (Rockhampton, in the Murray-Darling and on coastal rivers in We employ approximately 110 people in Byron Bay and Newcastle). In addition to this Queensland that impact the Great Barrier Reef. Australia, largely scientists, economists and we have one permanent staff member and a Our clients are government (Federal, State engineers. While we don’t collect information contracted project team in India. on cultural backgrounds of our staff, we have 1 | The Alluvium Group - Reconciliation Action Plan

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Alluvium Group (Alluvium) to continue cultural practices, maintain Alluvium believes, If genuine recognises and acknowledges the unique links with the land and care for and access to relevant information relationship and deep connection to be intricately involved in repairing is given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Country shared by Aboriginal and Torres Country, through the range of on Islander communities and adequate Strait Islander people, as First Peoples Country projects we are undertaking. explanation of the likely impacts and Traditional Owners of Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (positive or negative) of change upon Alluvium is committed to supporting close individuals and communities can retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander involvement and participation of First and obtain valuable knowledge and people is explained, then the likelihood Nations People in all areas of our business. skills through being proactively involved of successful and ongoing engagement, in environmental management and creating community capacity building Alluvium supports the position that as conservation opportunities. opportunities and relationships with the First People of Australia, Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners have inherent rights that were Alluvium acknowledges that Australian communities is greatly increased. never traded or given away. These society can benefit from Traditional inherent rights are recognised in a wide Owner’s knowledge, relationships and The unique position of Aboriginal range of International, Federal, State cultural and environmental practices and Torres Strait Islander people and Territory Government instruments and protocols that are alive and vibrant in our culture and history must be that afford First People ownership in these communities. This engagement acknowledged and recognised. Alluvium and custodial interests in Country and will provide society with a foundation is committed to the genuine recognition recognises their unique responsibility to establish meaningful and sustainable of the truth of Australia’s history. The to care for their communities, cultural relationships and sound working disadvantage that Aboriginal and Torres landscapes, biodiversity and places of partnerships. A key component of this Strait Islander people continue to face particular cultural significance. commitment is to ensure that Traditional today must be addressed by engaging Owners, communities, and individuals have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Alluvium has a strong focus and access to cultural, social, environmental communities in environmental and commitment to support the ongoing and conservation opportunities. conservation projects, particularly when access to Country and its resources there are cultural sites of significance that is essential for Traditional Owners with the footprint of the proponent. 2 | The Alluvium Group - Reconciliation Action Plan

CULTURE Alluvium works with First Peoples and Traditional Owners across much of our business. We understand that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures need not conform to a standard or recognised 'traditional' form to be valid. Cultural change might have brought elements of different values, beliefs and customary practices into Aboriginal life without compromising Aboriginality. While it is not possible to generalise about First Peoples’ cultures, some common aspects appear among many First People and cultures. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples attach enormous cultural and spiritual significance to their cultural landscapes. In the First Peoples’ world view, People and Country (including lands, waterways and seas) are interdependent entities that are intrinsically linked in the landscape. This means that there is no separation of nature and culture. The health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is directly influenced by both the health of the environment and the degree to which they can be actively involved in caring for it. Everyday within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people look to the future and drive discovery and innovation in every field of endeavour. This progress informs our experiences, our personal journeys, and our shared history as a society. That history extends back far beyond the foundations of the Australian society to the Traditional Custodians of this land, whose descendants are part of our community today.

ABOUT THE ARTIST VICKI GOLDING In this painting commissioned by the Alluvium Group, Vicki has told our story of water across Vicki was born in Gadigal Country and grew Country, from catchment to coast, with people up in Redfern, Sydney. However, her family from all cultures learning, understanding, originates from the NSW mid-north coast where sharing stories, walking to and talking at the she spent much of her adolescence. This is meeting places as one nation. where her heart is, and she, therefore, identifies as a Biripi woman. She is currently based in the Sydney beach-side suburb of Malabar. 4 | The Alluvium Group - Reconciliation Action Plan



OUR RAP Given the issues we work on we have significant We will use our RAP to help consolidate In terms of our journey to date we have had interest and staff enthusiasm for building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait several activities over the years but little co- our own knowledge and improving our Islander communities and organisations across ordination. We do have a high level of staff relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait the Country, and particularly in New South interest and progressing this more formally Islander communities, Elders and Traditional Wales and Queensland, and then build on these has come up strongly from both a staff and Owners. We see this as an important step relationships by setting targets &/or tasks. board perspective. both in a reconciliation sense (Alluvium In terms of implementation, we plan to have contributing to reconciliation) and to improve several organisational wide actions that help Matt Francey, our Chief Executive Officer, will our service for our clients (how we work with build awareness across the Alluvium group of act as our RAP Champion. Traditional Owner organisations to provide companies, as well as 2-3 specific relationship- better advice on natural resource questions). based activities in specific geographies. We will run these activities through our national 6 | The Alluvium Group - Reconciliation Action Plan Operations Group and report on progress to our Board.

OUR PARTNERSHIPS & CURRENT ACTIVITIES We have undertaken several activities each Management Committee on the Warrego year and plan a wider strategy for these in the and Darling (Baarka), consultation with future. The activities include: Dareton and Menindee Local Aboriginal Land Councils and working with the Narri • Several staff participating in on-Country Narri people on Nimmie Caira). events organised by Engineers without Borders. • Attendance at various events (for example two of our staff attended a cultural tour run • In 2016 a company-wide pro bono project by the Quandamooka People on Minjerribah to work on water for cultural values with in October 2019). the Barapa Barapa Traditional Owners. • Welcome to Country at events we run, • Extensive project-based interactions as such as Lyndon Davis, (pictured right) partners with Traditional Owners (such as the from the Gubbi Gubbi nation, at our group Upper Barwon, Yarrowee and Leigh Rivers conference with all staff in attendance on FLOWS study with the Wadawurrung), the Sunshine Coast in August 2019. working directly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and • Initial discussions with Phil Duncan (Senior organisations (for instance, Jaragun Natural Policy Officer at the NSW Aboriginal Land Resource Management) or consultation for Council and Gomeroi man) about longer projects across the Country (also including term partnerships regarding cultural water. working with the Toorale National Park Joint 7The Alluvium Group - Reconciliation Action Plan |

Alluvium staff Michael Rosenthal, Phil Duncan, Emily Lazarus, Fiona Chandler and Michael Thompson from JBP meet with CEO Renee Williams and Project Manager Ross Pitt at the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council regarding their coastal hazard adaptation strategy. Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility October 2020 Chief Executive Officer 1 Establish and • Identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and strengthen mutually organisations within our local area or sphere of influence. October 2020 QLD Regional Manager beneficial relationships • Research best practice and principles that support partnerships with Aboriginal and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations. Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations. 2 Build relationships • Circulate Reconciliation Australia’s NRW resources and May 2021 VIC Regional Manager through celebrating reconciliation materials to our staff. VIC Regional Manager VIC Regional Manager National Reconciliation • RAP Working Group members to participate in an external National 27th May to Week (NRW). Reconciliation Week event. 3rd June 2021 • Encourage and support other staff and senior leaders to participate 27th May to in at least one external event to recognise and celebrate National 3rd June 2021 Reconciliation Week.

RELATIONSHIPS Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility Chairperson, 3 Promote reconciliation • We will communicate our commitment to reconciliation to all staff March 2021 Alluvium Holdings through our sphere via team meetings, email and using our company social media QLD Regional Manager of influence. platform, Yammer. QLD Regional Manager • Identify external stakeholders that our organisation can engage August 2021 Chief Executive Officer with on our reconciliation journey and invite guest speakers that are “subject matter experts” to present to all staff. • Arrange initial meetings to discuss reconciliation collaborative December 2020 initiatives with identified RAP and like-minded organisations. • Provide information to staff to increase understanding about how June 2021 other offices are implementing our RAP, and key sites where we are doing project work. 4 Promote positive • Research best practice and policies in areas of race relations and December 2020 Chief Executive Officer anti-discrimination. race relations through anti-discrimination • Conduct a review of HR policies and procedures to identify existing June 2021 Chief Executive Officer strategies. anti-discrimination provisions, and future needs. 5 Reflect Best Practice • Build explicit questions into our annual policy (external) review June 2021 Chief Executive Officer to get advice on how our handbook and policies could/should be June 2021 Chief Executive Officer in acknowledging adapted to reflect best practice. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander • Research external providers best positioned to advise us on cultural values policy wordings. through our company policies and procedures.

RESPECT Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility December 2020 Chief Operations 6 Increase • D evelop a business case for increasing understanding, value Officer and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, understanding, value histories, knowledge and rights within our organisation. and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres • Alluvium will undertake a review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait March 2021 NSW Regional Manager Islander cultural learning needs within our organisation. June 2021 Chief Operations Strait Islander cultures, Officer histories, knowledge • Provide voluntary cultural awareness training to all staff in one of and rights through our large offices, then evaluate the training to roll out to all other cultural learning. staff in the smaller offices. 7 Demonstrate respect • D evelop an understanding of the local Traditional Owners or November 2020 NSW Regional Manager Custodians of the lands and waters within our organisation’s to Aboriginal and operational area. Torres Strait Islander Chief Executive Officer peoples by observing • Increase staff’s understanding of the purpose and significance October 2020 cultural protocols. behind cultural protocols, including Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols through our yammer network and quarterly updates to all staff. 8 Build respect for • Raise awareness and share information amongst our staff about November 2020, ACT Regional Manager Aboriginal and the meaning of NAIDOC Week. July 2021 Torres Strait Islander • Introduce our staff to NAIDOC Week by promoting external June 2021 ACT Regional Manager cultures and histories events in our local area. by celebrating • R AP Working Group to participate in NAIDOC Week events. First week of QLD Regional Manager NAIDOC Week. July 2021



All staff at the Alluvium Group conference on the Sunshine Coast, in August 2019

OPPORTUNITIES Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility • Develop a business case for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander January 2021 Chief Executive Officer 9 Improve employment outcomes by employment within our organisation. January 2021 QLD Regional Manager increasing Aboriginal • Build understanding of current Aboriginal and Torres Strait and Torres Strait Islander recruitment, Islander staffing to inform future employment and professional retention, and development opportunities. professional development. 10 Increase Aboriginal • D evelop a business case for procurement from Aboriginal and January 2021 ACT Regional Manager and Torres Strait Torres Strait Islander owned businesses. January 2021 Chief Operations Officer Islander supplier diversity to support • Based on our stocktake and analysis, investigate Supply improved economic Nation Membership. and social outcomes. 11 Support equal and • Work with Universities and internship programs (such as March 2021 Chief Executive Officer equitable education Careertrackers), to investigate internships opportunities for and career pathways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to work with us on for Aboriginal and research, development and projects. Torres Strait Islander university students.

GOVERNANCE Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility October 2020 Chief Executive Officer 12 Establish and maintain • F orm a RWG to govern RAP implementation. October 2020 Chief Executive Officer October 2020 Chief Executive Officer an effective RAP • Draft a Terms of Reference for the RWG. Working Group (RWG) • Establish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation to drive governance of on the RWG. the RAP. 13 Provide appropriate • Define resource needs for RAP implementation. October 2020 Chief Operations Officer support for effective • Engage senior leaders in the delivery of RAP commitments. November 2020 Chief Executive Officer implementation of • Define appropriate systems and capability to track, measure October 2020 Chief Executive Officer RAP commitments. and report on RAP commitments. 14 Build accountability • Complete and submit the annual RAP Impact Measurement September 2021 Regional Manager NSW and transparency Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia. through reporting January, Chief Executive Officer RAP achievements, • R eport on RAP actions twice annually at Alluvium Holdings July 2021 challenges and Board and Operations Group. learnings both internally and externally. 15 Continue our • Register via Reconciliation Australia’s website to begin October 2021 Chief Executive Officer developing our next RAP. reconciliation journey by developing our next RAP.





MESSAGE FROM RECONCILIATION AUSTRALIA Reconciliation Australia welcomes organisation to strategically set its Congratulations Alluvium, welcome to Alluvium to the Reconciliation Action reconciliation commitments in line with the RAP program, and I look forward to Plan (RAP) program with the formal its own business objectives, for the most following your reconciliation journey in endorsement of its inaugural Reflect RAP. effective outcomes. the years to come. Alluvium joins a network of more than These outcomes contribute towards Karen Mundine 1,100 corporate, government, and not- the five dimensions of reconciliation: Chief Executive Officer for-profit organisations that have made race relations; equality and equity; Reconciliation Australia a formal commitment to reconciliation institutional integrity; unity; and through the RAP program. historical acceptance. Since 2006, RAPs have provided a It is critical to not only uphold all five framework for organisations to leverage dimensions of reconciliation, but also their structures and diverse spheres increase awareness of Aboriginal and of influence to support the national Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, reconciliation movement. The program’s knowledge, and leadership across all potential for impact is greater than ever, sectors of Australian society. with over 2.3 million people now working or studying in an organisation with a RAP. This Reflect RAP enables Alluvium to deepen its understanding of its The four RAP types — Reflect, Innovate, sphere of influence and the unique Stretch and Elevate — allow RAP contribution it can make to lead partners to continuously develop and progress across the five dimensions. strengthen reconciliation commitments Getting these first steps right will in new ways. This Reflect RAP will lay the ensure the sustainability of future foundations, priming the workplace for RAPs and reconciliation initiatives, future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives. and provide meaningful impact toward Australia’s reconciliation journey. The RAP program’s strength is its framework of relationships, respect, and opportunities, allowing an 17The Alluvium Group - Reconciliation Action Plan |

Contact Us Melbourne Canberra Level 1 Building 2 [email protected] 105-115 Dover Street 54 McCaughey St 02 7201 8414 Cremorne, VIC 3121 Turner, ACT 2612 www.alluvium.com.au Sydney Newcastle Suite 2.4, Level 2 744 Hunter Street 822 George Street Newcastle, NSW 2302 Chippendale, NSW 2008 Townsville Brisbane Level 1, 412 Flinders Street Suite 14 Townsville, QLD 4810 36 Agnes Street Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006 Byron Bay 3/26 Byron Street Bangalow NSW 2479