Members appointed to Aboriginal Working Group

The group will provide advice and guidance on strategies and priorities that the Council should implement within the Port Augusta community.

Adnyamathanha elder Charlie Jackson is one of six members who have been appointed for the remainder of the current council term.

"I think what the council will be looking for is for us to be able to help assist with some plans in terms of how we can address the difficulties our community might be having in Port Augusta, and how we can work with the council to be able to develop a long term vision for our community," Mr Jackson said.

"One of the things I would like to address is the influx of people coming from remote communities and how we can work with them to help them to settle into the city environment so they feel comfortable, and so that the council will feel more confident to be able to work with them to develop long term plans."

Close to 20 per cent of Port Augusta's population are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Mr Jackson said the working group will not only help combat anti-social behaviour, but also help Council be more inclusive of Aboriginal groups, individuals and communities.

"We are here to live in this community and we have got to manage that and make sure we are not presenting a negative image to the broader community," he said.

"It's not always about identifying the things Aboriginal people are doing wrong, but how we can embrace the increase of Aboriginal people in Port Augusta whereby they become an investment.

"I'm positive that there's funds that come into this community on behalf of Aboriginal people and I would like to see how those funds are being administered, and whether it's meeting its target in terms of meeting outcomes for Aboriginal community."

Sandra Taylor, Margaret Stuart, Marli Macumba, Jaunella McKenzie and Julie Brady have also been endorsed by council.