Innovate
Reconciliation
Action Plan
April 2025 - April 2027
Reconciliation Australia
CEO message
Read more at trility.com.au
Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
Reconciliation Australia commends TRILITY Pty Ltd (TRILITY) on the formal endorsement of its inaugural
Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Commencing an Innovate RAP is a crucial and rewarding period in an organisation’s reconciliation journey.
It is a time to build strong foundations and relationships, ensuring sustainable, thoughtful, and impactful
RAP outcomes into the future.
Since 2006, RAPs have provided a framework for organisations to leverage their structures and diverse
spheres of influence to support the national reconciliation movement.
This Innovate RAP is both an opportunity and an invitation for TRILITY to expand its understanding of its
core strengths and deepen its relationship with its community, staff, and stakeholders.
By investigating and understanding the integral role it plays across its sphere of influence, TRILITY will
create dynamic reconciliation outcomes, supported by and aligned with its business objectives.
An Innovate RAP is the time to strengthen and develop the connections that form the lifeblood of all RAP
commitments. The RAP program’s framework of relationships, respect, and opportunities emphasises not
only the importance of fostering consultation and collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples and communities, but also empowering and enabling staff to contribute to this process, as well.
With close to 3 million people now either working or studying in an organisation with a RAP, the program’s
potential for impact is greater than ever. TRILITY is part of a strong network of more than 3,000 corporate,
government, and not-for-profit organisations that have taken goodwill and intention, and transformed it
into action.
Implementing an Innovate RAP signals TRILITY readiness to develop and strengthen relationships, engage
staff and stakeholders in reconciliation, and pilot innovative strategies to ensure effective outcomes.
Getting these steps right will ensure the sustainability of future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives, and
provide meaningful impact toward Australia’s reconciliation journey.
Congratulations TRILITY on your Innovate RAP and I look forward to following your ongoing reconciliation
journey.
Karen Mundine
Chief Executive Officer
Reconciliation Australia
Karen Mundine
Chief Executive Officer
Managing Director statement
Read more at trility.com.au
Francois Gouws
Managing Director
TRILITY
2025 - 2027
Three years on from the launch of our first
Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), it is
my great pleasure to present TRILITY’s
significant milestone in our journey, the
Innovate Reconciliation Action
Plan (RAP) 2025 - 2027.
This plan builds on the solid foundation of our
Reflect RAP and provides a platform for future
reconciliation initiatives. As we progress on our
journey of reconciliation, exploring the impact
that we can deliver within the three pillars of
relationships, respect and opportunity, we will
remain committed to turning our good intentions
into actions and establishing a strong approach
to advancing reconciliation both internally and
within TRILITY’s sphere of influence.
TRILITY’s Innovate RAP sets out the initiatives
we will undertake to develop meaningful
relationships with and create sustainable
opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Peoples. It also formalises and
strengthens TRILITY’s ongoing commitment
to fostering stronger connections and builds
on several established initiatives and
partnerships we have developed on our
ongoing journey to reconciliation.
Read more at trility.com.au
Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
Our Innovate RAP is a testament to our core values of Integrity, Progressiveness, and Commitment. It
was crafted by our dedicated RAP Working Group, a team of passionate Aboriginal and non-Indigenous
members committed to advancing our reconciliation journey. I want to take this moment to acknowledge
their hard work and dedication. They are our RAP champions who will ensure our agreed actions are
successfully implemented.
We are an Australian and New Zealand company committed to being a ‘partner of choice’ in delivering
water, wastewater, and environmental services. By progressing our RAP, we will better appreciate the vital
role of strong relationships and mutual understanding with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in
successfully achieving this commitment.
Water is a vital resource for all Australians. We deeply respect the wealth of knowledge held by the
Traditional Owners who have been managing Country sustainably for over 60,000 years. We recognise
and appreciate the ongoing, invaluable contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples and their
communities make to the Australian community.
I am delighted to endorse this Plan and look forward to the progress we will make in our journey towards
reconciliation. Furthermore, we will encourage all our employees, customers, and business partners to
support the initiatives we have identified in our Innovate RAP because we are eager to see the positive
impact of our collective efforts and the strides we will take towards a sustainable and prosperous future
for all Australians.
Francois Gouws
Managing Director
Read more at trility.com.au
We work alongside our partners in optimising their
facilities, processes and performance – creating value
through the full water and wastewater cycle, enhancing
their competitiveness and protecting the environment.
Our approach and design principles to water management
and environmental solutions use our experience,
innovation and proven technology to develop a solution to
suit each client’s needs.
TRILITY plays a vital role in our modern world by providing
water, wastewater and environmental solutions which
contribute to a better quality of life for those communities
we serve, across Australia and New Zealand. We have
extensive operations, spanning from the far south of
Tasmania to the most northern tip of the country and across
the Tasman.
TRILITY has operated in Australia since 1993. Previously
known as United Utilities, we have a 25-year track record
of delivering significant water infrastructure projects in
Australia and successfully operating them for our clients.
Some of our projects have included finance, design,
construction, operations and maintenance as a complete
service offering, making us a leader of DBFO / BOOT project
delivery of water infrastructure in Australia.
We have designed, built and / or operate over 70 treatment
plants in Australia with a combined capacity of 1,800
megalitres per day through our national workforce of
approximately 300 people. These plants fall under 21
operating contracts incorporating DBFO, BOOT, DBO, D&C
and O&M contract models. Several of these contracts have
included financing of the project.
We have extensive operations, spanning from the far south
of Tasmania to the most northern tip of the country and
across the Tasman. Our business combines many services,
solutions, products and applications to suit each client’s
needs. We keep pace with rapidly evolving technology,
markets, regulations and climate conditions.
TRILITY has ten employees who have notified us that
they self-identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait
Islander people. Within this RAP, we will explore culturally
appropriate ways to ensure there are opportunities for all
staff to self-identify to build great understanding of our
employee base.
TRILITY is broadly a national company, with most of our
operations in regional areas of Australia. TRILITY has
offices in Adelaide (x2), Melbourne (x2), Gold Coast, NSW
Central Coast, Perth, and Launceston. TRILITY also has staff
permanently based at more than 40 operational locations
around Australia.
TRILITY team members Matt Reusch, Maintenance Coordinator and
Jane Stokeld, Water Quality Engineer - Townsville City Council Water
Supply Upgrade Project, Queensland
Smoking ceremony (conducted by Daniel Chalker),
turning of the soil event Macarthur Water
Filtration Plant, New South Wales
TRILITY’s core business is delivery
of water, wastewater and
environmental services. TRILITY
is involved in the delivery of 100s
of water infrastructure projects,
currently servicing over 550
facilities. Our solutions are built
on our heritage and our expertise,
a dedication to do it right, and a
passionate commitment to provide
our services effectively, efficiently,
safely and responsibly.
TRILITY
2025 - 2027
Our Business
Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
Our Vision
Our vision for reconciliation is an
Australia that embraces unity with
a national culture that offers equal
opportunities for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples.
As a water and environmental business, we see our
role; as supporting equitable access to clean drinking
water and safeguarding the environment for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islanders by leading the way in water
and environmental services. We aim to provide equal
opportunities within our business and through our business
partnerships and create an inclusive and diverse workplace
that is culturally safe, rich, and proud.
Read more at trility.com.au
TRILITY
2025 - 2027
Our Values
A key corporate value is Integrity. We act with integrity in
everything that we do. We will see each other:
•
Treating everyone with honesty, fairness and respect
•
Recognising the contributions of others, great and small
•
Admitting and learning from mistakes
•
Being open and transparent, and openly
sharing knowledge and information
•
Recognising and fulfilling our responsibility
to the community and to the environment
•
Acting and communicating in a way that engenders trust
•
Being comfortable to communicate openly
and honestly with each other
•
Using appropriate language and behaving professionally
The main reason for developing a RAP is that we believe
it is the right thing to do and it aligns with the general
expectations of our staff, customers and the communities
within which we operate. The aim of this plan is to provide
further opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people in our workplace, better use our purchasing
and supply chain to provide opportunities for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander businesses, better targeting of
community initiatives and promoting better understanding
between all Australians.
It will further embed Integrity in our organisation through
some of the points listed above. It will formalise ad hoc local
community initiatives. It will see TRILITY proactively seeking
to provide better economic and social opportunities for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As a company
we aim to better understand the rich histories and cultures
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
A secondary reason for developing a RAP is to support
business growth opportunities.
As a company we aim to work with Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples to address social, economic and
cultural barriers.
We are committed to ethical values and principles that
promote equal opportunities in all aspects of people
management and business practice. A key component of
this is our commitment to providing opportunities for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Read more at trility.com.au
Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
Our Working Group
Francois Gouws
Managing Director
and RAP Champion
Matt Dawson
General Manager Solutions
and SMT RAP Representative
Caroline Kerkhof
Head of Communications
Bronwyn van der Zant
Manager Human Resources
Tara Greenhalgh
Project Administration and
Proposals Lead
(Modular Solutions)
Rebecca Randall
Senior Process Engineer and
RAP Facilitator
Greg Wood
Regional Operations Manager
(NSW, Victoria and Tasmania)
Our Managing Director, who is passionate about having a RAP, is the senior sponsor and champion for the RAP within
the company. The RAP Working Group includes the following staff:
TRILITY seeks advice, when required, from the appropriate
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Groups to ensure
our business is conducted in a culturally sensitive manner.
10
10
Our Journey
10
TRILITY
2025 - 2027
2019: Partnering with WIOA to sponsor their
‘Kwatye Cultural Recognition Award’. The award
focuses on those who have gone above and
beyond to further inclusion, connection and
belonging for co-workers, community members
and people from disadvantaged and marginalised
groups. This partnership continues today.
2023: TRILITY implemented a new Indigenous
Procurement Policy aimed at supporting First Nations
businesses by ensuring they have equitable access to
procurement opportunities. To facilitate this, we have
modified our financial practices to include identifying
and tracking First Nations suppliers and developing
a new reporting tool to monitor and track our
procurement spending with First Nations businesses.
Since implementation, we have seen increased
procurement spend with First Nations businesses,
enhanced relationships, greater organisational
awareness and positive feedback, underscoring our
commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
2023: In Riverland, South Australia, TRILITY, through
its Riverland Water operations, works with the local
Councils by supporting local community projects.
One such project is the “Barmera Hospital Healing
Place’, which is to provide a cultural healing site.
Its proximity to Barmera Hospital creates an inviting
community space for people waiting for medical
appointments and treatment and for hospital visitors
to spend some time in often anxious circumstances.
2023: Providing a space for others to learn;
TRILITY worked with Behind Closed Doors
(BCD provides structured memberships,
coaching and mentoring, and leadership
programs exclusively for women nationally),
local Aboriginal cultural awareness, and
educator Kuma Kaaru to conduct cultural
training sessions for BCD members.
2023: Designing and building drinking water
solutions that will help transform young lives
- Operation Flinders is a not-for-profit
organisation that transforms the lives of
young people through quality, remote
outback adventure programs. The Foundation
works to transform the lives of young
people from the age of 13 to 18. The core
8-day program is held in the northern Flinders
Ranges Adnyamathanha (Adnyamathanha
means ‘Rock People’) land, where young
people trek up to 100km, experience
abseiling, Indigenous culture, and bushcraft,
and build self-confidence through challenging
themselves.
The property where these programs are run
relies mainly on rainwater and, if required,
groundwater to water the participants and
volunteers, occasionally surrounding
Indigenous communities, and revegetate
the land.
2019: Together with Sydney Water, TRILITY
and its project partners officially launched
construction of the upgrade works at the
Macarthur Water Filtration Plant with
Glenda Chalker, a proud Dharawal woman
and her son Daniel, a proud Dharawal man,
who conducted a Smoking Ceremony that
cleansed the way for new beginnings.