The Northern Territory’s utilities company, Power and Water Corporation, made history by becoming the first Northern Territory Government-owned corporation or department to create a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Having achieved everything set out in the organisation’s first two Innovate RAPs, the team is celebrating moving on to a Stretch RAP, to embed reconciliation efforts as part of everyday operations.
The Stretch RAP was officially launched in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) on Monday, 30 June 2025, and will guide the corporation’s reconciliation journey over the next three years.
The plan builds on the momentum of the previous two RAPs, supporting the organisation’s culturally respectful engagement, and representing a deeper, more ambitious phase in advancing reconciliation in the Northern Territory.
Power and Water CEO and RAP Champion, Djuna Pollard said the progress has been a company-wide effort.
‘We’ve seen people from across our organisation really embrace our reconciliation journey,’ Mrs Pollard said.
‘We deliver essential services to thousands of Aboriginal Territorians and have a unique opportunity to be leaders in reconciliation. Expanding our knowledge and work in this space, in partnership with Aboriginal Territorians, is important if we are to deliver those services effectively.
‘From creating jobs in communities and using the services of more Aboriginal Business Enterprises to targeting our communications and engagement efforts to be more community specific, we will continue to make positive changes.’
Power and Water completed the first Innovate RAP in June 2019 and collaborated with key stakeholders to develop the second Innovate RAP for 2023–2025. Designed in consultation with the organisation’s Reconciliation Advisory Committee (comprised of executive leaders and external representatives) and Reconciliation Working Group (comprised of Power and Water team members), the new Stretch RAP encompasses views, cultural backgrounds and voices from across the Territory.
Reconciliation Advisory Committee Co-Chair, Jeanneen McLennan said, ‘Having Territory-wide voices heard is vital. I am proud to be supporting and driving Power and Water’s reconciliation journey, with my father previously working for Power and Water many years ago, sharing our culture and influencing change when I was just a child.’
The Stretch RAP lays out a clear 3-year roadmap for continued collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, focusing on strengthening relationships, cultural safety and service responsiveness.
To find out more, visit our reconciliation webpage.
Photo caption: The Tingkabee Dancers at the launch of Power and Water Corporation’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan in Mparntwe/Alice Springs
Media contact: 0401 117 599 / media@powerwater.com.au
