The Federation Council in regional New South Wales has abandoned a controversial proposal to remove Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from its chambers, following overwhelming public opposition. The council received 884 submissions during consultation, with 78% opposing the plan. Among ratepayers, 84% were against the removal, with only 44 in favour.
The proposal, first floated by Mayor Cheryl Cook in November, also sought to restrict welcome to country ceremonies unless approved by a council resolution. At a heated meeting in Urana on Tuesday, councillors voted 5-4 in favour of an alternative motion by Councillor Derek Shoen to instead develop a reconciliation action plan alongside traditional owners. However, the flags were temporarily removed because no formal resolution had ever been passed to install them.
Submissions from locals argued that removing the flags could send the wrong message. One said: 'Removing the flags doesn’t stop racism, it rewards it.' Another resident described growing up in Corowa with little exposure to Indigenous culture, which contributed to 'intergenerational racist attitudes' that they later challenged.
Mayor Cook defended the original proposal as an attempt to unite the community under 'one sovereign emblem', but acknowledged the strong feelings on both sides. 'It is impossible to please 100% of the people, 100% of the time,' she told the meeting. The council will now work on a reconciliation action plan with Wiradjuri and Bangerang traditional owners.
