Celebrating our multicultural heritage

One of Queensland’s largest refugee settlement areas could soon have greater representation with the proposed establishment of a Multicultural Advisory Committee.

Raised at the Ordinary Meeting of Toowoomba Regional Council on 16 March, Environment and Community Chair Cr James O’Shea said the wheels were now in motion on how the formation of an advisory committee could potentially work.

“The Toowoomba Region was built on its multicultural background and continues to be home to a large number of nationalities,” he said.

“This collection of world culture has made our Region so amazing and to continue playing a role in supporting multicultural groups, agencies and community members, I feel it’s important we form a dedicated advisory committee.

“We’ve already seen great benefit from our other advisory committees and this is an opportunity to extend this work further.

“I believe a Multicultural Advisory Committee would fill a key advocacy role in the areas of Leadership, Community Harmony, Planning and Engagement, Access and Equity, Economic and Cultural Opportunities and Workforce Diversity and Inclusion.”

In the 2016 Census it was found from the Toowoomba Region’s total population of 169,779:

With the formation of a Multicultural Advisory Committee being considered, Councillors will now participate in a workshop to develop the Terms of Reference with the results to be presented at a future Meeting of the Environment and Community Services Committee.

For more information contact Council on 131 872.