Multicultural Geelong plan seeks connected and vibrant community

THE City of Greater Geelong Council has released a draft Multicultural Action Plan 2018-2022 for final community feedback.

The plan aims to:

• Increase Geelong’s multicultural community’s participation and highlight the benefits of diversity and social inclusion
• Provide equal access to social, economic and health resources and support
• Deliver inclusive planning, services, programs, infrastructure and advocacy
• Create a more inclusive, connected and vibrant community.

It sets out a series of action areas for the next four years that will help achieve these aims.

Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood said the Greater Geelong region highly values its multicultural communities, whose diverse ideas, skills and experience help make Geelong a great place to live.

“We want our City to be a place where everyone feels welcome and supported, and this plan sets out the initiatives and services needed to achieve this.

“We encourage everyone to have their say during the consultation period.”

Geelong’s Inclusive and Diverse Community portfolio chair Cr Sarah Mansfield said Geelong had a long and proud multicultural history.

“The annual Pako Festa is one of my favourite events in Geelong, and is a fantastic example of how we celebrate our many different cultures.

“Our diversity brings richness and vibrancy to our community, and it’s important that we continue to support this.”

She said migrants had made a major contribution throughout Geelong’s history, and the region was now home to 51 different cultural communities.

Census data from 2016 shows that 11 per cent of residents speak a language other than English at home.

The new plan builds on COGG’s first Multicultural Action Plan, 2011-2014, and was developed by Council’s Multicultural Action Plan Advisory Committee.

The plan will be available for feedback until September 28. Visit geelongaustralia.com.au/yoursay.