Multicultural Advisory Committee - 8 Oct 2026 3.00 pm - 5.00 pm

Topics

• Ipswich committee pushes stronger multilingual emergency messaging
  CALD community advisers urged Council to use ethnic radio and clearer disaster-dashboard messaging during emergencies.
  Residents who do not primarily use English may face barriers accessing urgent warnings and recovery information.
• Ipswich recycling education targeted at culturally diverse communities
  Council’s multicultural advisory committee discussed using social media and the Recycle Mate app to address recycling and garden-organics contamination in CALD communities.
  Better-targeted information could reduce contamination and improve recycling outcomes for participating households.
• Future Ipswich jobs portal to connect CALD residents with work opportunities
  A future Wivenhoe Local Jobs Program portal was discussed as a way for CALD residents to register for employment assistance, including possible WATPAC opportunities linked to Brisbane 2032.
  The portal could improve access to jobs information for residents facing language or other barriers to employment services.

Decisions

• Waste collection and contamination update received
  The committee received and noted an update on garden organics and recycling bin contamination in culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Discussion focused on community education, social media and the Recycle Mate app.
  CALD residents may receive or benefit from more targeted recycling information and education.
• Disaster Management – City of Ipswich report received
  The committee received and noted an overview of Council’s disaster and emergency management services, including the funded Community Recovery and Resilience Officer program and disaster resilience considerations for CALD communities.
  The discussion focused on how residents from diverse language backgrounds can access emergency information and assistance.

Discussion

• Multilingual disaster communications
  Members discussed the Get Ready Queensland Week 2026 campaign, Council’s disaster dashboard and ways to deliver stronger emergency messages. External advisors suggested using Radio B Ethnic Radio and Radio 4EB during disasters or emergencies.
  Residents who do not primarily use English may have additional channels for receiving emergency information.
• Community disaster-support facilities
  Gailes Community House and Rosewood Community Centre were discussed in relation to Queensland Disaster Management arrangements training and their potential role in supporting communities after a disaster. Members also referred to videos about the groups’ work.
  These community facilities may support local residents during disaster recovery and response.
• Domestic violence services and statistics
  The Domestic Violence Action Centre presented information about domestic violence statistics in the Ipswich area and the services it provides.
  Residents can learn more about local domestic violence support services and community needs.
• Future employment portal for CALD residents
  General discussion covered the future Wivenhoe Local Jobs Program portal, which is expected to allow CALD community members to register and receive employment assistance. Job opportunities with WATPAC connected to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games were also discussed.
  The portal may provide employment support and information about future major-event-related jobs.

Impacts

• Recycling education for CALD communities may be strengthened through social media and the Recycle Mate app.
• Emergency information may be promoted through Council’s disaster dashboard and ethnic radio services, including Radio B Ethnic Radio and Radio 4EB.
• Gailes Community House and Rosewood Community Centre may assist communities following a disaster.
• A future Wivenhoe Local Jobs Program portal is intended to connect CALD residents with employment assistance and opportunities.

Places

• City of Ipswich (local government area)
  Area covered by the committee’s disaster-management and CALD-community discussions.
• Ipswich (city/service area)
  Location referenced in the domestic violence statistics presentation.
• Gailes Community House (community facility)
  Discussed as a community organisation involved in disaster-management training and support.
• Rosewood Community Centre (community facility)
  Discussed as a community organisation involved in disaster-management training and support.
• Wivenhoe Local Jobs Program (program area)
  Future employment portal discussed for the CALD community.

Next

• Continue work on recycling education and communications for CALD communities, including social media and Recycle Mate information.
  No specific deadline stated.
• Promote disaster-readiness information through Council’s disaster dashboard and consider stronger multilingual and ethnic-radio messaging.
  During the 2026 disaster-readiness period and future emergencies; no specific deadline stated.
• Develop the future Wivenhoe Local Jobs Program portal for CALD residents.
  Future timing not specified.
• Hold the next Multicultural Advisory Committee meeting.
  10 November 2026.

Extract

8 OCTOBER 2026 UNCONFIRMED MULTICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE NO. 2026(04)] of 4 UNCONFIRMED MULTICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE NO. 2026(04) 8 OCTOBER 2026 REPORT COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE: Chairperson Pye Augustine (Chairperson); Councillors Jacob Madsen (Deputy Chairperson) (via audio-link), Marnie Doyle, Andrew Antoniolli (via audio-link), David Martin and Jim Madden (Observer) EXTERNAL ADVISORS ATTENDANCE: Ms Gail Ker, Dr Aparna Hebbani, Dr Mahan Mohammadi, Mr Bakari Mustafa and Mr Thiew Atem Mr Thiew Atem arrived at the meeting at 3.51 pm. APOLOGIES: External Advisor - Mr Pongawhakatihi Pompey OFFICERS’ ATTENDANCE: Chief Executive Officer (Sonia Cooper), General Manager Community, Cultural a...