Renewal SA has reaffirmed its commitment to working with First Nations peoples through the launch of its second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

Guided by Reconciliation Australia, the state government’s property development agency will deliver a series of initiatives aimed at embedding First Nations perspectives into urban design and master planning, while expanding opportunities for First Nations suppliers and employees.

The commitment was shared during an event at Renewal SA’s Waymouth Street office, where Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard reflected on the agency’s reconciliation journey and outlined its future direction.

“Reconciliation isn’t a destination, it’s a continuous journey of respect, reflection and action,” Mr Wingard said.

“Through this next chapter, we’re building deliverables and strengthening partnerships, while embedding reconciliation into our culture, decision-making and projects.”

Renewal SA began its reconciliation journey in 2019, joining the nationally recognised Reconciliation Australia RAP program, completing a foundational Reflect RAP, the first stage in a four-tier framework designed to build the internal structures needed to support future commitments.

This was followed by the first iteration of an Innovate RAP, delivered over two years from March 2022.

Despite delivering a significant number of required deliverables during that time, including spending $2.48 million with 13 First Nations suppliers, Mr Wingard said the agency’s growth meant there was an opportunity to expand its impact.

“Renewal SA has evolved since our first Innovate RAP, and we wanted to ensure our commitments remain contemporary and are embedded through all aspects of our business.”

To develop the latest RAP, Renewal SA engaged with all its staff and its 15-member Reconciliation Committee.

The Committee includes cross-department representatives and First Nations cultural advisors Aunty Yvonne Agius, Elder of Kaurna and Narungga descent, Uncle Frank Wangutya Wanganeen, Kaurna and Narungga man and Jess Davies-Huynh, proud Kaurna woman.

Together the Committee will oversee and report on 17 deliverables unique to Renewal SA that aim to:

• build strong, respectful and long-term relationships between First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous Australians,
• engrain respect for First Nations peoples, cultures and histories into practices,
• drive meaningful opportunities through culturally appropriate partnerships,
• develop strong internal governance to ensure intentions turn into meaningful actions.

Mr Wingard said the group, together with the Executive team, overseen by the organisation’s Board of Management would ensure all actions are embedded in Renewal SA’s operations.

“Every action whether it’s on a development site, in planning, procurement or within our teams has a role to play in ensuring that Culture and Country are respected, represented and protected.”

“As an organisation so tied to the land, something deeply important to First Nations culture, it’s paramount we walk in lockstep to ensure the deepest care and consideration is taken as we continue to deliver outcomes for South Australia,” Mr Wingard said.

Renewal SA’s Innovate RAP deliverables will begin immediately as it joins almost 3,000 Australian organisations with a registered Reconciliation Action Plan, according to Reconciliation Australia’s 2024 impact report.

Collectively, these organisations touch more than five million Australians every day.

The report highlights they have procured $4.8 billion in goods and services from about 25,000 First Nations-owned businesses.

“We’re proud to once again join an esteemed collective of organisations committed to the strengthening of relationships and building meaningful connections with First Nations communities and businesses,” Mr Wingard said.