THE Surf Coast Shire council is generally in favour of creating some kind of committee for the interests of the local LGBTQIA+ community, but will only proceed if it is well supported by the LGBTQIA+ community.<\/p>\n
The Rainbow Local Government campaign, co-ordinated by the Victorian Pride Lobby, is asking councils across the state to set up advisory committees to bring LGBTIQA+ issues to the council’s attention, and petitioned the shire in August of this year.<\/p>\n
In their report on the petition to councillors, presented at the November 28 meeting, officers noted the shire sought feedback in June 2022 from the local LGBTQIA+ community about whether they would participate in a shire-led LGBTQIA+ advisory committee.<\/p>\n
At the time, officers stated, the engagement found “the local LGBTQIA+ community would not participate in an advisory committee until Council had taken further steps to create safe and inclusive spaces for people who identify as LGBTQIA+”.<\/p>\n
“In addition, the LGBTQIA+ community expressed concerns around there not being a clear purpose\/project for the committee to actively work on at the time, and a lack of resourcing and budget specifically dedicated to delivering projects and actions that would arise from the committee.”<\/p>\n
At the meeting, a majority of councillors agreed with the officers’ recommendation to carry out further targeted engagement with members of the local LGBTQIA+ community to identify their need and interest in participating in a Reference Group,which would meet as matters arise, to provide advice to the council.<\/p>\n
The council also resolved to approve the establishment of a Reference Group, “subject to evidence of clear support being provided through the engagement process”.<\/p>\n
Cr Kate Gazzard, who successfully moved the motion, said a reference group would align with the council’s commitment to community development.<\/p>\n
“Our community members are the people who hold the knowledge, skills and passion to achieve great things.<\/p>\n
“Council wants activities to be place-based and people-centred, empowering locals – including our LGBTQIA+ community – to spark positive change.<\/p>\n
“I know that a reference group isn’t exactly what the petition was seeking, but I’m glad it’s in keeping with the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community, who will guide the next steps.”<\/p>\n
Cr Paul Barker and Cr Heather Wellington both voted against the motion.<\/p>\n
“Those who fall under the LGBT banner are not all the same – they are all beautiful, independent human beings with so much potential and don’t need different roads, bins, or parks, so I don’t think there’s any reason to treat them any differently to anyone else, save for maybe an additional toilet cubicle,” Cr Barker said, alluding to the shire’s gender-neutral toilets policy.<\/p>\n
“But after what this council has recently passed with 97 per cent community opposition, that negative is largley redundant.<\/p>\n
“All that decision and this motion does is drive a wedge between individuals in our community, and I will not stand for it.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Surf Coast Shire council is generally in favour of creating some kind of committee for the interests of the local LGBTQIA+ community, but will only proceed if it is well supported by the LGBTQIA+ community. The Rainbow Local Government campaign, co-ordinated by the Victorian Pride Lobby, is asking councils across the state to set […]<\/p>\n