A NSW water authority says it will involve more First Nations knowledge in caring for country and water. 

Hunter Water has released its new Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). 

The plan promises to listen and learn from First Nations peoples and incorporate their knowledge into the way the authority provides water and wastewater services to the region.

“The RAP aims to create meaningful change by offering employment, procurement and community engagement opportunities for First Nations peoples,” Hunter Water said in a statement this week. 

RAP Working Group member and Senior HR Business Partner – Inclusion and Diversity, Lisa Warren, says Hunter Water is ready to demonstrate how it will get up, stand up and show up through a number of initiatives relating to respect, relationships, and opportunities.

“We’re proud to be celebrating NAIDOC Week 2022 and recognising and celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” she said. 

“We started our reconciliation journey in 2019 when we launched our first RAP and began to meaningfully contribute.

“There have been some challenges over the past couple of years, but we’re pleased that we’ve been able to maintain our momentum and progress with numerous initiatives, which has led to the creation of our second RAP,” Ms Warren said.