Tamworth is being held up as a leading example of how local government can work in formal partnership with Aboriginal organisations, as the NSW Government launches a new toolkit aimed at strengthening Closing the Gap efforts across the state.
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 agreement aligns with Priority Reform 1 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which centres on formal partnership and shared decision-making.
The Tamworth model now features in the newly released NSW Closing the Gap Toolkit for Local Government, developed by the State Government in partnership with Local Government NSW (LGNSW) and the Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (CAPO).
The toolkit stems from the NSW Closing the Gap Partnership Agreement signed in February 2024 by the NSW Government, NSW CAPO and LGNSW. It includes practical planning templates, case studies and a self-assessment tool designed to help councils measure their progress and strengthen engagement with Aboriginal communities.
For regional areas such as the New England, where councils are often the closest level of government to Aboriginal communities, the resource is intended to provide practical guidance on embedding the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms into strategic and operational planning.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said the initiative reinforces the importance of Aboriginal-led decision-making.
“The NSW Government is committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal people to Close the Gap,” Mr Harris said.
“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.”
LGNSW President Mayor Darcy Byrne said councils across the state were already building strong relationships at a local level.
“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,” Cr Byrne said.
“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 formal partnerships were central to meeting commitments under the National Agreement.
“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,” Cr Lynch said.
“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.”
The toolkit is now available to download here: https://lgnsw.org.au/Public/Public/Policy/Closing-the-Gap-Toolkit/close-the-gap.aspx
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