Racquel Kerr is a proud Dja Dja Wurrung and Boon‐ wurrung woman, and director of Racquel Kerr Consulting. Her diverse background encompasses Aboriginal cultural heritage, legislation, Indigenous urban design and stakeholder develop‐ ment, alongside her extensive art/ design.
The cover piece of this RAP, titled Walatjalangu ‘Embrace (we, including you)’ was specifically designed for Ratio Consultants, reflecting the various industries Ratio works within‐ and it’s core connection to country. As a cultural responsibility, it is pivotal to respect the ongoing tradition and cultural practice that is instilled by Tradtional Owners, by moving forward as an inclusive collective to contribute to healthy country for all.
Reconciliation Australia welcomes Ratio Consultants to the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program with the formal endorsement of its inaugural Reflect RAP.
Ratio Consultants joins a network of more than 2,200 corporate, government, and not‐ for‐profit organisations that have made a formal commitment to reconciliation through the RAP program.
Since 2006, RAPs have provided a framework for organisations to leverage their structures and diverse spheres of influence to support the national reconciliation movement. The program’s potential for impact is greater than ever, with close to 3 million people now working or studying in an organisation with a RAP.
The four RAP types — Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate — allow RAP partners to continuously develop and strengthen reconciliation commitments in new ways. This Reflect RAP will lay the foundations, priming the workplace for future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives.
The RAP program’s strength is its framework of relationships, respect, and opportunities, allowing an organisation to strategically set its reconciliation commitments in line with its own business objectives, for the most effective outcomes.
These outcomes contribute towards the five dimensions of reconciliation: race relations; equality and equity; institutional integrity; unity; and historical acceptance.
It is critical to not only uphold all five dimensions of reconciliation, but also increase awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge, and leadership across all sectors of Australian society.
This Reflect RAP enables Ratio Consultants to deepen its understanding of its sphere of influence and the unique contribution it can make to lead progress across the five dimensions.
Getting these first steps right will ensure the sustainability of future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives, and provide meaningful impact toward Australia’s reconciliation journey.
Congratulations Ratio Consultants, welcome to the RAP program, and I look forward to following your reconciliation journey in the years to come.
Karen Mundine
Chief Executive Officer Reconciliation Australia
The Ratio team are proud and excited to embark on our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to reinforce our commitment to recognising the culture, contributions and learnings of First Nations peoples.
We look forward to exploring the many ways we can make a meaningful contribution to reconciliation by working collaboratively with Traditional Owners and organisations to deliver built‐form projects that shape our environment, respect our history and move towards a more inclusive and recognitive future. As consultants in the planning, transport, urban design and waste management sectors, it is incumbent upon our staff to be supportive and cognisant of cultural best practices influencing the work we do across Australia.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan will enable our staff and those who work alongside them to develop a deeper connection to Country and its peoples as we explore initiatives that pay credence to the processes shaping our land.
We anticipate an ongoing process of reflection and growth as we engage with First Nations peoples.
Peter McKelvie
Managing Director
Ratio Consultants
Ratio is an independent voice and a trusted partner in planning, urban design, transport and waste management. We support positive change through projects that shape cities, neighbourhoods and places for people. For more than 30 years, we have balanced the needs of a growing population, the built environment, the natural landscape, community wellbeing, and commercial outcomes.
We approach every project with a goal to drive the process and deliver the best possible outcome. We do this by solving problems, influencing decisions, and achieving results.
We currently operate out of the following 4 locations; ‐ Melbourne (Wurundjeri Country),
‐ Geelong (Wadawurrung Country),
‐ Sydney (Gadigal Country), and
‐ Brisbane(Jagera Country).
We deliver works and projects Australia wide. Through our extensive work and collaborative culture, we build relationships with the people: decision‐makers, trusted colleagues and industry experts. Across all our offices, we are continually adapting our strategies to challenge and shape change in a way that encourages positive outcomes for all.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ employment is very low in our industries, and we support positive strides being made to rectify this by industry bodies. At present, we do not employ any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff amongst our 83 employees, however this is something that we are striving to change with the actions set out in this RAP.
Ratio’s Urban Design and Landscape Architecture teams were appointed by East Gippsland Shire Council to create a detailed design package for Bruthen’s central median strip gardens.
Initial analysis of the topography of the site, which looks over the Tambo River floodplain, suggested that this was probably a place used by the Gunai Kurnai people. Yet, recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander occupation was lacking in Bruthen’s streetscape.
Ratio have since been working with a team at GLaWAC to ensure Gunai Kurnai art, culture, and people are included within the upgraded garden. The designs include space for a yarning circle and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander memorial structures to commemorate the local Gunai Kurnai people who fought in the war.
The final sculptures and detailed finishings of this section of the site will be completed by GLaWAC.
The proposed review and revitalisation of the Snowy River Rail Bridge area provides the surrounding community with the opportunity to celebrate the rich history and local connection to a spectacular part of the rail journey east, across the Snowy River floodplains.
Ratio’s Urban Design team worked directly with Gippsland Project Management Group (GPM) and the Save The Snowy Rail Bridge communi‐ ty group, and intends to work in consultation with local stakeholder groups including Gunai Kurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC), DELWP and East Gippsland Shire
Council (EGSC) for the duration of their work.
Ratio planners worked closely with Melbourne Indigenous Transition School (MITS) and McIldowie Partners to articulate the merits of the boarding house for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students travelling to
Wurundjeri Country from remote and regional areas in Victoria and the Northern Territory.
1. Establish and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations.
Identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations within our local area or sphere of influence.
July 2023
Managing Director
Research best practice and principles that support partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations.
Identify points of contact for Registered
Aboriginal Parties / Traditional Owner Groups in regions we work (our office locations) and consult with them to create a tailored engagement process.
September 2023
Lead: Managing Director
Support: Executive Management Team
2. Build relationships through celebrating National Reconciliation Week (NRW).
Circulate Reconciliation Australia’s NRW resources and reconciliation materials to our staff.
May 2023
Marketing & Communications Manager
RAP Working Group members to participate in an external NRW event.
27 May‐ 3 June 2023
RAP Champion
Encourage and support staff and senior leaders to participate in at least one external event to recognise and celebrate NRW.
27 May‐ 3 June 2023
Managing Director
3. Promote reconciliation through our sphere of influence.
Communicate our commitment to reconciliation to all staff monthly at staff meetings.
Oct 2023
Marketing & RAP Champion
Update staff induction process for new staff to include a RAP info session and cultural awareness training.
June 2023
Business Sevices Manager
Identify external stakeholders that our organisation can engage with on our reconciliation journey.
June 2023
Lead: Managing Director
Identify RAP and other like‐minded organisations that we could approach to collaborate with on our reconciliation journey.
May 2023
Support: Executive Management Team
4. Promote positive race relations through anti‐ discrimination strategies.
Research best practice and policies in areas of race relations and anti‐discrimination.
Conduct a review of HR policies and procedures to identify existing anti‐discrimination provisions, and future needs.
Feb 2024
Lead: Managing Director
Support:Office Manager
5. Increase understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures,
histories, knowledge and rights through cultural learning
Develop a business case for increasing understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories,
knowledge and rights within our organisation.
March 2024
Lead: Managing Director
Support: Executive Management Team
Conduct a review of cultural learning needs within our organisation.
Oct 2023
RAP Champion
Start an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges & planning /UD/LA library on level 1
Create and communicate a calendar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dates of significance to all staff.
Share information internally (e.g. on staff intranet) about each Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander date of Significance and celebrations.
Feb 2024
Marketing & Communications Manager
Encourage staff to attend (Virtually) PIA’s Knowledge Circle
July 2023
RAP Champion
6. Demonstrate respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by observing cultural protocols.
Develop an understanding of the local Traditional Owners or Custodians of the lands and waters within our organisation’s operational area.
March 2024
RAP Champion
Increase staff’s understanding of the purpose and significance behind cultural protocols, including Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols, and develop a guiding process
March 2024
Lead: Managing Director Support: RAP‐ WG
Update report/letter/brochure templates and plan title blocks to include reference to Country.
Each staff office to display an Acknowledgement of Country plaque at reception/entry.
Add an Acknowledgement of Country to email signatures.
Sept 2023
Marketing & Communications Manager
7. Build respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories by celebrating NAIDOC Week
Raise awareness and share information amongst our staff about the meaning of NAIDOC Week.
Introduce our staff to NAIDOC Week by promoting external events in our local area.
June 2023
Marketing & Communications Manager
RAP Working Group to participate in an external NAIDOC Week event.
First week‐ July, 2023
Lead: Managing Director
Support: Marketing & Communications Manager
8. Improve employment outcomes by increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment, retention and professional development.
Develop a business case for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment within our organisation.
March 2024
Managing Director
Build understanding of current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staffing to inform future employment and professional development opportunities.
March 2024
Lead: Managing Director
Support: Executive Management Team
9. Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity to support improved economic and social outcomes.
Develop a business case for procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses.
March 2024
Lead: Managing Director
Support: Executive Management Team
Investigate Supply Nation membership.
Investigate Kinaway Chamber of Commerce membership
May 2023
Office Manager
Develop policy and process regarding scope of opportunities to offer pro bono work
Feb 2024
Managing Director
Evaluate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander causes for Ratio’s annual Christmas donation
Dec 2023
Marketing & Communications Manager
10. Identify opportunities for co‐designed planning and processes with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Conduct targeted staff training in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural engagement and co‐design.
Identify regular clients who we can work with on this RAP journey/completing co‐designed work (in the future) ‐ our clients/contacts may have existing relations
March 2024
Managing Director
Create visibility to showcase and celebrate projects which have included Traditional Owner engagement and co‐design.
March 2024
Marketing & Communications Manager
Conduct review of current internal processes to ensure that co‐design processes facilitate culturally inclusive consultation.
March 2024
Office Manager
Identify different CHMP/reporting/engagement requirements for the Country we often work with regarding different status/legislation of Traditional Ownership.
Identify policy/ guidelines and training for when proactive engagement can occur when referring clients to work with RAP(s) and Traditional Owner Groups under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and Section 52(1)(d) of the Planning & Environment Act 1987.
March 2024
Planning Director
11. Establish and maintain an effective RAP Working Group (RWG) to drive governance of the RAP.
Form and maintain a RWG to govern RAP implementation.
April 2023
Managing Director
Draft a Terms of Reference for the RWG.
March 2023
Managing Director
Establish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation on the RWG.
March 2024
Managing Director
12. Provide appropriate support for effective implementation of RAP commitments.
Define resource needs for RAP implementation.
June 2023
Managing Director
Engage senior leaders in the delivery of RAP commitments.
October 2023
Managing Director
Appoint a senior leader to champion our RAP internally.
April 2023
Managing Director
Define appropriate systems and capability to track, measure and report on RAP commitments.
June 2023
Managing Director
13. Build accountability and transparency through reporting RAP achievements, challenges and learnings both internally and externally.
Contact Reconciliation Australia to verify that our primary and secondary contact details are up to date, to ensure we do not miss out on important RAP correspondence.
June annually
Marketing & Communications Manager
Contact Reconciliation Australia to request our unique link, to access the online RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire.
1 August annually
RAP Champion
Complete and submit the annual RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia.
30 September, annually
RAP Champion
14. Continue our reconciliation journey by developing our next RAP.
Register via Reconciliation Australia’s website to begin developing our next RAP.
Jan 2024
RAP Champion
Artist - Racquel Kerr
Artist - Racquel Kerr
