The New South Wales Government has launched a new Closing the Gap toolkit to support councils in working more closely with Aboriginal people and communities.
The NSW Closing the Gap Toolkit for Local Government was developed in partnership with Local Government NSW and the Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations.
The resource includes practical examples, case studies, planning templates, and a self-assessment tool to help councils assess and improve their engagement and partnership practices.
The toolkit is a key initiative arising from the NSW Closing the Gap Partnership Agreement, signed in February 2024 by the NSW Government, NSW CAPO, and Local Government NSW.
Local councils are often the closest level of government to Aboriginal communities, particularly in regional and remote areas, placing them in a strong position to support Aboriginal-led initiatives and deliver locally relevant outcomes.
The toolkit provides guidance on aligning council planning and operations with the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms and includes case studies from councils such as Tamworth Regional Council, Orange City Council, and Inner West Council.
In 2025, Tamworth Regional Council and Tamworth Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations signed Australia’s first formal Closing the Gap partnership between an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation and a local council, reflecting the principles of shared decision-making.
The toolkit also includes a self-assessment framework to help councils identify strengths and opportunities for improvement in their engagement with Aboriginal organisations and communities.
NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris, said the toolkit supported stronger partnerships across government.
“When Aboriginal voices are at the centre of decision-making, solutions are more effective and lead to better outcomes,” Harris said.
Local Government NSW President, Darcy Byrne, said councils were continuing to build strong relationships with Aboriginal communities.
“This toolkit gives councils practical ways to strengthen how we plan, partner, and deliver with Aboriginal communities,” Mayor Byrne said.
NSW CAPO Co-Chair, Charles Lynch, said the resource supported councils in meeting commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
“Local government plays a critical role in communities across NSW, particularly in regional and remote areas,” Lynch said.
“We welcome this toolkit as a practical step to support stronger local partnerships and improved outcomes.”
The toolkit is available for download through Local Government NSW.
