Ipswich City Council

Multicultural

Ipswich City Council is committed to the continued development of an inclusive, harmonious and cohesive community and to enact a model of best practice in this area.

One of the greatest challenges facing Local Governments in view of changing population/demographic trends is its service response to the demands of a culturally diverse society. This involves Council being responsive in the areas of advocacy, planning and delivery of local government council programs and services to improve access and ensure the equal participation of all citizens in municipal life.

Ipswich City, along with Gold Coast Council was the first to research and implement community relations strategies in 1996. This pilot program informed the development of the Local Area Multicultural Partnerships (LAMP) Program, one of the major initiatives arising out of the Multicultural Queensland Policy. Today, this program involves partnership arrangements between the State Government and Local Council to promote access, participation and cohesion in our multicultural society.

In 1999 the Multicultural Girls Dancing Ipswich City Council adopted a Multicultural Access and Equity Policy to complement the Ipswich City Council Social Justice Policy.

Council through our policy is committed to the following principles and strives to:

Ensure that as Council moves to develop, deliver and review its services, residents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds participate in relevant community consultation and community research;
Ensure that Council information is accessible to all residents including those with limited English language skills;
Ensure appropriate contact and communication with its residents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and the removal of barriers to positive contact;
Utilise existing translating and interpreting resources within Council's operations and use other Information Technology and language support services as required;
Provide staff training within Council to ensure the delivery of culturally appropriate services to residents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds;
Foster a process of open communication and consultation with residents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and promote the community's relationship with Council as being in the spirit of partnership;
Develop and implement appropriate standards of data collection throughout the organisation which will enable Council to target, and evaluate service delivery, and Council's responsiveness to the needs of residents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and
Develop and implement multicultural strategies that are compatible with the following Mission statement.

Mission Statement

To Promote Harmonious Community Relations in Ipswich.

Objectives:

Formulate strategies and structures to attain the Mission Statement;
Raise awareness of Community's diversity;
Promote the celebration of diversity;
Work towards the acceptance of difference and the reduction of prejudice;
Promote inclusion in all aspects of community life;
Identify issues that need attention; and
Encourage attitudinal change.

2012 Harmony Day Celebrations

Harmony Day is celebrated around Australia on March 21 each year. It's a day where all Australians celebrate our cultural diversity. The continuing message for Harmony Day is that Everyone Belongs, which means all Australians are a welcome part of our country, regardless of their background. Mayor Paul Pisasale and Councillors of the City of Ipswich invite you to be part the celebrations!

Wednesday, 21 March 2012
10.00 am - 1.00 pm
d'Arcy Doyle Place, Ipswich CBD

Take part in interactive activities which will include:

Free cooking demonstrations
Free drumming workshop
Free dance workshop
Multicultural arts and craft displays

For more information please contact Cath Sweeney, Multicultural Project Officer on (07) 3810 7989.

Related Information

ICC Multicultural Directory (PDF, 855 kb)
Community Relations Plan (PDF, 708 kb)

Last Updated 20 Feb 2012 |

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