Cr van Zetten spoke at the flag raising ceremony at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre on Charles Street on Monday morning to launch NAIDOC Week 2020, delayed from July due to COVID.

He said the council was committed to ensuring the Aboriginal community was brought along in its decision-making.

"I do want to apologise for the times we have got it wrong," he said.

"We are continuing to learn and understand. I think what we need to continue to do is to continue to listen, and continue to try to understand where you're coming from, and we want to do that.

"Please be patient with us as we try to go on that journey together.

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"Yes, sometimes we're slow to learn, but we are getting there. I know that I have come a long way in 10 years and I'm sure the community will continue to come along as well."

Cr van Zetten pointed to last year's Australia Day decision as evidence the city was moving in a positive direction.

The decision drew some negative feedback from various parts of the Launceston community, but the mayor said it was the council's responsibility to ensure all of the community was brought together, and they would not shy away from showing leadership.

"I know that I got a lot of negative comments from doing that - and we will get that - but we want to continue to work so we can bring all of the community together, it's not just about one or the other, it's about all of us trying to work together," Cr van Zetten said.

In recent years, the council's refurbishment of Civic Square drew criticism from the TAC due to its history pavers including John Batman, but having limited reference to the city's Aboriginal history.

The council last year voted to begin working on a Reconciliation Action Plan.