Chance to join inclusive committee

EXPRESSIONS of interest are now open for Ballarat residents who would like to join the LGBTIQA+ advisory committee.

The committee’s role is to provide feedback to the City of Ballarat on how municipal decisions will affect the queer community, and is made up of people with lived experience, those who work or volunteer with LGBTIQA+ organisations, or experts in the field.

Roles include advising on ways to consult and engage the community, and providing ideas for increasing cohesiveness and inclusivity.

In particular, the committee will help with implementing the City of Ballarat’s Community Inclusion Plan 2022-2026 and will meet every two months for about one-and-a-half hours.

Mayor Cr Des Hudson encouraged anyone with lived experience to apply.

“The committee plays a vital role in advising the City of Ballarat of the issues that LGBTIQA+ individuals and communities face in relation to programs, services and infrastructure,” he said.

“We strongly encourage anybody with a lived experience from within the LGBTIQA+ community to apply, as we are looking for diverse representation and experience.”

In the Ballarat community, almost 10 per cent or residents identify as part of the LGBTIQA+ community which is more than 10,000 residents.

“The City of Ballarat is an inclusive city and diversity is not only accepted, but welcomed and celebrated,” said Cr Hudson.

Express interest at bit.ly/460oi29 by Friday 29 September.