The Minns Labor Government is supporting councils and councillors across NSW to work more closely with Aboriginal people, organisations and communities to help close the gap with the launch of a new toolkit developed in partnership with Local Government NSW and the Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (CAPO).
The NSW Closing the Gap Toolkit for Local Government includes practical examples and case studies from across NSW, templates for planning and policy making and a self-assessment tool to guide councils on their progress.
The toolkit is a key initiative that came out of the NSW Closing the Gap Partnership Agreement, which was signed by the NSW Government, NSW CAPO and Local Government NSW in February 2024.
Local councils are often the closest level of government to Aboriginal communities, particularly in regional and remote areas. This means councils are well positioned to work in partnership with Aboriginal organisations to support local Aboriginal-led Closing the Gap initiatives and deliver benefits to the community.
The new toolkit includes guidance for how councils can align their strategic operational planning with each of the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms, with case studies from across NSW including Tamworth Regional, Orange City and Inner West Councils.
As a case in point, in 2025, Tamworth Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (TACCO) and Tamworth Regional Council signed Australia's first formal Closing the Gap partnership between an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation and a local council.
The development of such partnerships aligns with 'Priority Reform 1, 'formal partnership and shared decision making', from the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Councils can also use a new self-assessment tool to determine their areas of strength and opportunities for improvement in how they work with Aboriginal communities and organisations in their region.
The toolkit is now available to download: https://lgnsw.org.au/Public/Public/Policy/Closing-the-Gap-Toolkit/close-the-gap.aspx
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:
"The NSW Government is committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal people to Close the Gap.
"When Aboriginal voices are at the centre of decision-making, solutions are more effective, locally relevant, and the evidence shows it leads to better outcomes.
"All levels of government - local, state and federal - must work together, in genuine partnership with Aboriginal people and communities to make real change.
"This toolkit is about ensuring every council - regardless of size - can play their part in Closing the Gap in partnership with Aboriginal communities."
Local Government NSW President, Mayor Darcy Byrne said:
"Across NSW, councils continue to do some extraordinary work with their local Aboriginal communities. I am proud of the local government sector in NSW for leading by example in our concerted effort at Closing the Gap.
"This toolkit gives councils practical ways to continue to strengthen how we plan, partner and deliver with Aboriginal communities. By working in genuine partnership, we can build trust, support shared decision making and achieve better outcomes for everyone.
"This toolkit strengthens the way councils work alongside Aboriginal communities, supporting more meaningful and effective collaboration. Councils understand that when decisions are shaped locally, the results are better for everyone. "
NSW CAPO Co-Chair Cr Charles Lynch said:
"Closing the Gap is a shared responsibility across all levels of government. Under the National Agreement, decisions that affect Aboriginal people need to be made through formal partnership and shared decision-making.
"Local government plays a critical role in communities across NSW, particularly in regional and remote areas.
"We welcome this commitment from LGNSW and the development of this toolkit as a practical step to support councils to work in partnership with Aboriginal communities and organisations, and deliver on their commitments under the National Agreement.
"We look forward to working alongside LGNSW to strengthen local partnerships and ensure that Closing the Gap is implemented in a way that delivers tangible outcomes on the ground."
