Following a five-year grassroots movement, the Aboriginal flag will be permanently flown on top of Sydney Harbour Bridge by the end of the year.
Cheree Toka, a Kamilaroi lady, spearheaded the effort to have the flag fly 365 days a year on Sydney Harbour by organizing successful petitions and raising $300,000 for the cause.
Prior to the state’s budget release on Tuesday, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet pledged extra $25 million for building work on the bridge to erect the third flagpole.
Mr. Perrottet believes that flying the flag alongside the Australian and NSW state flags is a significant step toward closing the gap and tackling inequity.
‘Our Indigenous history should be celebrated and acknowledged so young Australians understand the rich and enduring culture that we have here with our past,’ Mr Perrottet said in his pre-budget statement on Sunday.
‘Installing the Aboriginal flag permanently on the Sydney Harbour Bridge will do just that and is a continuation of the healing process as part of the broader move towards reconciliation.’
The flagpoles are around 20 meters tall, equivalent to a six-story building, and the flags require a sturdy attachment that can resist all weather conditions.
The proposal will be discussed with key stakeholders by NSW Transport and Aboriginal Affairs.
Mr Perrottet had previously stated that the Aboriginal flag would be flown from the Harbour Bridge in February.
The funding, on the other hand, ensures that it will be operational by next year, after specialists predicted that engineering and construction work may take up to two years.
‘I can’t see why it would take that long… I’ll climb up there and fly it myself if I need to,’ he said when announcing the decision.
Ms Toka said she was thrilled at the success of the campaign.
‘I think this is really important for us as Indigenous people, achieving reconciliation through recognition,’ she said.
‘While I know a flag is symbolic, it does spark conversation around the unjust things that are happening on Country to our people, and it shows that we are moving forward,’ she told NITV News.
Following a similar victory in Sydney’s Inner West Council this year, the impassioned supporter now has her sights set on other locations where the flag can be exhibited.
She also stated that the effort is not yet complete, with the next step being a procedure change to prevent future premiers from removing the flag.
Other funding revealed on Sunday ahead of the state budget includes $37.9 million for improving before and after school care and $206 million for a sustainable farming initiative.
The groundbreaking concept, according to Treasurer Matt Kean, will compensate farmers who voluntarily reduce carbon emissions and safeguard biodiversity.
The NSW government has also committed $56.4 million to the construction of a four-day walking circuit across the Gondwana Rainforests on the NSW mid-north coast at the Dorrigo Escarpment.
Environment Minister James Griffin said the funding was the largest capital investment in any NSW national park.
‘I want everyone who comes to our NSW national parks as a visitor to leave as a conservationist, and this world-class Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk helps us achieve that,’ Mr Griffin said.
Following the implementation of a new code of practice this year, $28 million has been committed to the state’s agricultural forestry business, with money going to assistance and education of farmers.
The investment, according to Deputy Premier Paul Toole, underlines the growing importance of agricultural forestry in supporting the sustainable timber industry.
Thanks to $15 million over the next four years, women in small businesses will have free access to TAFE courses and professional guidance.
Mr Kean claims that small firms account for more than 95% of all businesses in NSW, but just a third of them are controlled by women.
The state budget for 2022-23 will be presented by the Perrottet administration on Tuesday.
Mr Perrottet, Mr Kean, and Planning Minister Anthony Roberts are expected to make another budget announcement later on Sunday morning in Sydney’s northwest.