Ipswich City Council is developing the Indigenous Accord 2026–2031 - a shared commitment to strengthening relationships, recognition and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Accord will guide how council works alongside community over the next five years. It builds on nearly three decades of reconciliation and reflects a growing, diverse and vibrant Ipswich community. We are now inviting your feedback to help ensure the Accord reflects what matters most to community.

What we’ve achieved together (2020–2025)

Over the past five years, council has strengthened its approach to reconciliation—moving from commitment to visible, on-the-ground action through leadership, partnership and cultural inclusion. Outcomes from the last Indigenous Accord can be viewed in the Indigenous Accord Outcomes Report 2020 - 2025.

Which includes the below:

How your feedback will shape the Accord

We are committed to making sure your feedback is genuinely considered and clearly reflected in the next Indigenous Accord.

This means:

• Every piece of feedback will be reviewed and carefully considered
• Common themes, priorities and ideas will be identified and documented
• Your input will help refine the Accord’s themes and actions
• We will clearly show how community feedback has influenced the final outcomes
• If something can’t be included, we will explain this openly

To support transparency, community feedback and aspirations will be shared in the final Accord.

Why your voice matters

The Indigenous Accord is more than a document - it’s a shared commitment to:

• Strengthening reconciliation
• Building culturally safe and inclusive communities
• Supporting opportunity, participation and connection
• Embedding community voice into council decision-making

Your input will directly shape the final Accord and help guide how council delivers outcomes over the next five years.

Why this matters

These achievements show what is possible when council works in genuine partnership with community. They provide a strong foundation for the next Indigenous Accord — and we now want your input to help shape what comes next.

What we're asking

We're seeking your input on two key areas. These insights have shaped the draft Accord — now we're asking, did we get it right?

Community aspirations

We also want to confirm the priorities that will guide council’s work.

From earlier engagement we’ve heard that community wants:

✅Stronger cultural visibility and recognition

• Culture reflected in public spaces, events and storytelling
• More opportunities to celebrate and learn throughout the year

✅Meaningful involvement of Traditional Owners

• Early and ongoing involvement in decisions about land, culture and community
• Stronger recognition of Elders and cultural leadership

✅More economic opportunities

• Better pathways to jobs, training and careers
• Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses
• Culturally safe workplaces

✅Improved wellbeing and inclusion

• Safer, more welcoming community spaces
• Better access to council programs and services
• Stronger responses to racism and exclusion
• Opportunities to connect to culture, identity and community

We want you to have your say on this project. Please submit your feedback using one of the engagement channels below:

• Complete our online survey
• Attend a pop up event and speak to us in person
• Submit a hard copy survey
• Email us directly at communityengagement@ipswich.qld.gov.au
• Call our Contact Centre at 3810 6666
• Speak with a Community and Sport Team member in person by visiting reception at 1 Nicholas Street Precinct, or call us to arrange a time to meet at a community centre

Your feedback will help to:

• Confirm or refine the Accord themes
• Strengthen alignment with community priorities
• Ensure the final Accord reflects lived experience and aspirations