Multicultural Advisory Committee - 17 Sep 2026 10.00 am - 12.00 pm

Topics

• Ipswich multicultural committee pushes for disaster information in more languages
  Council’s multicultural advisory committee discussed promoting and translating disaster information, highlighting a dashboard available in more than 100 languages.
  Residents who speak languages other than English may have improved access to emergency information, although no new service or funding was approved at this meeting.
• Multicultural committee seeks stronger domestic-violence links and women’s representation
  The committee proposed inviting the Domestic Violence Action Centre and called for more women from different linguistic groups to be represented among community leaders.
  The proposal could improve how culturally diverse women learn about domestic-violence assistance and access support.
• Ipswich multicultural committee to receive data and funding information for future strategy work
  Council officers were tasked with providing demographic data and funding and support information to help the committee advise on the next Community Development Strategy.
  The information may shape future council priorities affecting culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Decisions

• Follow-up information for multicultural communities
  The General Manager, Community, Cultural and Economic Development, was asked to provide members with Ipswich social and demographic data and information about Council funding and support channels.
  This could help community leaders better explain available services and support to culturally and linguistically diverse residents.
• Input into the next Community Development Strategy
  The General Manager was asked to advise the Chair on developing the next Community Development Strategy, with external members invited to identify gaps in the current strategy.
  Community feedback may influence future council priorities and services for multicultural communities.
• Potential domestic-violence support contribution
  Members suggested inviting a representative from the Domestic Violence Action Centre to a future committee meeting and discussed the need for more women from different linguistic groups in community leadership.
  The proposal aims to improve awareness of assistance and make support pathways more accessible to women from culturally diverse communities.

Discussion

• Multilingual disaster awareness
  The committee discussed promoting and translating disaster information for different multicultural communities. Members were shown Council’s Disaster Management Dashboard, which can be translated into more than 100 languages.
  Residents may be better able to understand emergency information if it is available in relevant languages.
• Access to council services
  Members discussed how multicultural community leaders can access information about the range of services available and how Council communicates with communities.
  Improved communication could help residents find council and community services.
• Domestic-violence information
  The committee discussed how to raise awareness of assistance for domestic violence, including Council’s website information and the Just in Case card.
  Residents were directed to existing information and support resources, with further community engagement proposed.
• Skills recognition and employment pathways
  An initiative was outlined to connect culturally and linguistically diverse community members with volunteering and employment opportunities through employers in the health sector.
  The initiative may create pathways into volunteering and health-sector employment for community members whose skills are not fully recognised.

Impacts

• Multicultural community leaders are expected to receive local demographic data and information about Council funding and support channels.
• Council’s Disaster Management Dashboard is available for translation into more than 100 languages.
• The committee is considering stronger links with domestic-violence support services and greater representation of women from different linguistic groups.
• Future committee meeting times may be moved to the afternoon to make attendance easier for members who work; this was a request, not a confirmed change.

Places

• Ipswich (city and local government area)
  The General Manager was asked to provide Ipswich social and demographic data.

Next

• Provide committee members with Ipswich social and demographic data.
  Follow-up action; no deadline stated.
• Provide information about Council funding and support channels for consideration by members.
  Follow-up action; no deadline stated.
• Advise the Chair on development of the next Community Development Strategy.
  For future consideration; no deadline stated.
• Consider inviting a Domestic Violence Action Centre representative to a future committee meeting.
  Potentially at a future meeting; not confirmed.
• Hold the next Multicultural Advisory Committee meeting.
  Thursday, 8 October 2026.

Extract

17 SEPTEMBER 2026 UNCONFIRMED MULTICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE NO. 2026(03)] of 3 UNCONFIRMED MULTICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE NO. 2026(03) 17 SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT ATTENDANCE: Councillor Pye Augustine (Chairperson); Councillors Jacob Madsen (Deputy Chairperson), Marnie Doyle, Andrew Antoniolli, David Martin, Mayor Teresa Harding (Observer) and Councillor Jim Madden (Observer) EXTERNAL ADVISORS ATTENDANCE: Ms Gail Ker, Mr Thiew Atem, Dr Aparna Hebbani, Mr Pongawhakatihi Pompey, Mr Bakari Mustafa and Dr Mahan Mohammadi Dr Mahan Mohammadi joined the meeting at 10.57 am via audio-link. Gail Ker arrived at the meeting at 11.18 am. APOLOGIES: Nil OFFICERS’ ATTENDANCE: Chief Executive Officer (So...