BATHURST Regional Council will aim to build a better relationship with the region's indigenous community by employing a full-time Aboriginal liaison officer.
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The position was under consideration in the 2020-21 budget, which was adopted by council last month, meaning the hunt for someone to fill the role can soon start.
A key part of the role of the Aboriginal liaison officer will be to act as a point of contact between the local Wiradyuri people and council.
The total budget allowed for the position is $120,000. This is not only for the employee's wages, but also includes money to cover costs of tasks carried out within the role, such as surveys or community meetings.
Deputy mayor Ian North said council has already started to do things to recognise and respect Aboriginal people, including having the Aboriginal flag in the council chambers and outside the civic centre and the dual naming of Mount Panorama to recognise culture with the name Wahluu.
Having an Aboriginal liaison officer will build on that work and guide council in its decision making.
"I want to make sure this council always does the right thing and respects the oldest culture in the world," Cr North said.
General manager David Sherley said the three key responsibilities of new position will be to: deliver strategies, projects and capacity building programs; assist council to develop, implement and evaluate strategies and initiatives that address the needs of the whole Aboriginal community in Bathurst; and to facilitate awareness, understanding and positive relationships between council and the local Aboriginal community.
While the Aboriginal liaison officer will help with council's consultation processes, they won't be involved in discussions around the go-kart track and second circuit, projects that continue to be divisive.
Mr Sherley said this was due to "the situation of the development, the discussions, the positions and the researching" already occurring.
