Victoria's Aboriginal Tourism Development Plan 2006-2009

Appendix 2

Summary of relevant State Government agencies and policies

This plan makes reference to the lack of coordination among State Government departments and agencies with regard to Aboriginal affairs and Aboriginal tourism issues in particular. Better coordination and mechanisms to ensure that State Government speaks with one voice to the Aboriginal tourism industry is a key recommendation.

It is hoped that the recommended restructuring of Victoria’s peak Aboriginal tourism marketing organisation (ATV) to create a more broad-based industry association for the sector will provide a solid forum through which various State Government agencies can liaise and consult with sector members.

The Government’s major social justice policy A Fairer Victoria: Creating Opportunity and Addressing Disadvantage, launched in May 2005, includes a specific section on building new partnerships with indigenous Victorians’ (Strategy 9).
In A Fairer Victoria the section ‘Change the way we work with indigenous communities’ (Action 9.1, page 40) acknowledges these problems with coordination:

“Change the way we work with indigenous communities to streamline Government consultations and introduce single funding agreements with indigenous organisations. These changes are being introduced to meet the concerns of Aboriginal communities about cutting red tape and reducing meeting fatigue…”

The report continues, making direct reference to the Aboriginal tourism sector:

“Support Aboriginal land initiatives with $9.6 million over three years to develop land for use by Aboriginal communities to meet cultural, social and environmental interests. The program will promote and protect Victoria’s rich cultural heritage and involve more indigenous people in land and resource management, sustainable tourism and new business opportunities. A range of training initiatives will be included to support economic independence and employment in Aboriginal communities.” (Action 9.2, page 40).

Specific initiatives relevant to the Aboriginal tourism sector are the establishment of five Aboriginal Land and Economic Development Programs across the State during the period 2005-2008.

For the purposes of this plan, the following section outlines the key State Government agencies that impact – directly or indirectly – on the operation of Aboriginal tourism in Victoria:

1. Tourism Victoria (Department of Industry, Innovation and Regional Development)

The development of Victoria’s Aboriginal tourism industry has been part of Tourism Victoria’s industry development and marketing activities since the mid 1990s. Tourism Victoria has worked to an Aboriginal Tourism Plan in conjunction with the industry sector since 1997. The development of Aboriginal tourism is recognised as a key objective in the Victoria’s Tourism Industry Strategic Plan 2002-2006.

Since June 2005 an industry officer, indigenous tourism, has been employed. This is a joint initiative and co-funded arrangement between Tourism Victoria and the Koori Business Network. The officer works within the Product Segments and Niche Markets Unit of Tourism Victoria. Tourism Victoria’s Industry Development Unit also provides structural assistance to the industry, largely via ATV and the ATRG.

Phone 03 9653 9769

2. Koori Business Network (Department of Industry, Innovation and Regional Development)

The Koori Business Network (KBN) is the State Government’s leading body for indigenous business and was established in 1999 to develop and deliver a range of targeted programs providing support for indigenous economic growth in Victoria.

It supports indigenous businesses, artists and emerging entrepreneurs through programs and initiatives that develop existing skills and expertise into sustainable, dynamic and diverse economic businesses.

Since its establishment, KBN has developed valuable partnerships with Arts Victoria, the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Parks Victoria and the Department of Justice to deliver high quality programs to the Victorian indigenous community.

KBN works closely with Tourism Victoria on matters of indigenous tourism business development and co-funds the position of Industry Officer, indigenous tourism.

Phone 1300 799 526

3. Parks Victoria

Victoria’s extensive system of parks and reserves is managed under the custodianship of Parks Victoria. Indigenous Australians have been intrinsically connected to the Australian continent for tens of thousands of years, along with the area now known as Victoria, including the States parks and reserves. Parks Victoria recognises this connection and acknowledges the traditional owners of these areas and the contribution of other indigenous communities and those in custodial roles.

The parks estate includes many significant indigenous sites and places, including some key tourism locations such as Gariwerd National Park, Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre operating as a fully Aboriginal owned and managed facility in the Grampians National Park, Dharnya Cultural Centre (Barmah State Forest) and Tower Hill Reserve. These locations and many other indigenous places facilitate interpretation tours in partnership with indigenous communities and Parks Victoria.

Parks Victoria has an Indigenous Partnerships Branch at head office and employs 50 indigenous staff across the organisation. These roles include field staff, rangers, visitor services staff and project officers throughout its large network of parks and reserves.

Parks Victoria’s Indigenous Partnerships Strategy establishes directions and processes to develop strong relationships and sustainable and evolving partnerships with traditional owners and indigenous communities and to set directions and priorities to enable and support development of future co-management arrangements for parks, where appropriate.

The eight programs in the Partnership Strategy relate to the management of indigenous cultural heritage and environmental values and the development of stronger, genuine indigenous participation in all aspects of park management. Parks Victoria has committed to increasing the percentage of its permanent indigenous workforce to a minimum of seven per cent over the next few years and to maintaining this as a minimum level.

With specific reference to the Tourism industry, Parks Victoria’s Indigenous Partnership Strategy commits to the following:

  • To provide opportunities and work in partnership with traditional owners and indigenous communities to support the development of materials and events, facilitate tours and educational programs and support the development of appropriate indigenous tourism business enterprises and product.

  • To support relevant tourism enterprises and educators to provide appropriate information, interpretation and education to park visitors and staff in indigenous cultural heritage and history that has been developed in conjunction with and approved by traditional Owners and other relevant indigenous communities.

  • To ensure that tourism and educational products reflect traditional owners’ and relevant indigenous communities’ connection to land, water and sea, culture, spiritual associations of place and are in accord with their aspirations.

  • The program’s strategies for the development of indigenous business enterprises include:

  • To ensure traditional owners and other indigenous communities/people are fully involved in and approve all aspects of the development of materials, product, events and programs, including how and by whom they are delivered.

  • To provide guidance on the training, support and business requirements for indigenous businesses seeking work with Parks Victoria.

  • To identify appropriate business opportunities in parks for traditional owners and other relevant indigenous communities and assist them to develop the capacity, become 'business ready' and better able to achieve their aspirations and acquire advantage of business opportunities in parks.

  • To enable and support indigenous businesses to become more aware and better prepared to quote for the provision of goods and services to Parks Victoria and explore opportunities for companies bidding for works in Parks Victoria to engage indigenous people.

  • To work in partnership with Tourism Victoria, the Koori Business Network, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria, the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Justice and other agencies, including federal, and importantly indigenous groups to establish and deliver best practice and ensure a whole of government approach to meeting the rights, needs and aspirations of Victoria's indigenous peoples.

Phone 13 19 63

4. Arts Victoria

The performing and visual arts play a very significant role in interpreting Victoria’s Aboriginal heritage and contemporary culture to domestic and international visitors. Arts Victoria plays an indirect but important role in assisting the marketing of the State’s Aboriginal culture for the tourism industry.

The position of Industry Officer, Indigenous Arts, is co-funded by Arts Victoria and the Koori Business Network.

The Indigenous Mentor Grants available through Arts Victoria are designed to assist the professional and technical development of professional artists and arts industry workers. Mentoring aspects can include curatorial skills and retail aspects of the indigenous arts industry. The development needs of individuals are teamed with an exemplary mentor in the particular field of need for a period of 12 months. The Indigenous Mentor Grants may be applicable to indigenous arts tourism enterprises, either in their ability to register as mentors, or to provide specialist training or mentoring of personnel.

The Deadly Arts Program is a partnership project between Arts Victoria and the Koori Business Network to develop Victoria’s indigenous arts industry as well as to provide assistance to talented individuals. The Artists in Business component of Deadly Arts seeks to promote the development of quality, innovative products, as well as encourage professional development in business management and artistic skills. The mentoring component of Artists in Business provides grants to meet up to 80 per cent of mentoring costs, with the participant required to contribute 20 per cent of costs, either in cash or in-kind.

Other Arts Victoria grants of interest to the indigenous cultural tourism industry include the Artists in Communities and Arts Innovation programs.

The Industry Officer, Indigenous Arts, is also examining the supply, quality and marketing support for authentic Victorian indigenous souvenirs and gift items. In recognition of the fact that a major opportunity to promote Victoria’s unique indigenous art to visitors is through low cost arts and crafts and other small souvenir items, the current level of supply and marketing of such items through retail and other relevant outlets will be examined. Identifying product gaps and retail impediments is also part of the process.

Phone 03 9651 5017

5. Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (Department for Victorian Communities)

Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (AAV) is the Victorian Government’s central point for advice on all aspects of Aboriginal affairs in Victoria. It sits within the Department for Victorian Communities (DVC). Policy advice may relate to services provided by other State Government agencies, Commonwealth departments or to services delivered within the Aboriginal community. An important aspect of the work of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria is to promote knowledge and understanding about Victoria’s Aboriginal people within the wider community.

The objectives of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria include the promotion of the social, economic and cultural development of Victoria’s Aboriginal communities, protecting and promoting the State’s Aboriginal cultural heritage and improving the coordination and monitoring of the development of government policy relating to the delivery of programs and services to Victoria’s Aboriginal people. AAV’s activities are delivered via three branches: Planning and development, Heritage services and Portfolio services.

Grants available through AAV, which may be applicable to some Aboriginal tourism enterprises, include the Indigenous Community Capacity Building Fund, which aims to strengthen indigenous communities by addressing their own needs at a local level, and Community Support – Strengthening Communities, which provides funding to organisations, networks and partnerships to implement projects that will advance the interests of their communities.

An example of an Aboriginal Affairs Victoria funding initiative that has encouraged new tourism enterprises was the May 2005 announcement of the Aboriginal Land and Economic Development Program.

Phone 03 9208 333