A two-year battle to get Shoalhaven Council to endorse the Uluru Statement from the Heart has finally paid off.
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First proposed in June 2018, the motion was rejected by Crs Jo Gash, John Wells, Patricia White, Andrew Guile, Mitchell Pakes, Greg Watson and Bob Proudfoot.
This time, Cr Proudfoot submitted the motion, and it was accepted unanimously.
The statement calls for constitutional change, a voice for Indigenous people in federal politics, and an open conversation about Australia's history.
Councillors who had previously voted not to endorse the Uluru statement acknowledged they had "got it wrong".
"I underestimated the importance of this to our local community, but I understand now," Cr Pakes said.
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As part of the motion, the council will write to the Prime Minister in support of the Uluru statement, and establish an advisory committee to investigate how the council can better support Aboriginal cultural development.
Earlier this week, Waminda called on the council to adopt the statment. A spokesperson said it would be a concrete step towards reconciliation in the Shoalhaven.
