Multicultural Advisory Committee

Aims And Objectives
Council adopted a Local Ethnic Affairs Policy Statement (LEAPS) in 1991 and a LEAPS Community Advisory Committee to review the issues in relation to this policy. The LEAPS Policy was replaced by the Waverley Multicultural Policy, adopted by Council in May 1998. The Policy aims to ensure access and participation to all its residents to the services and structures of Council.

Council at its meeting of 23 November 1999 resolved to establish a Multicultural Advisory Committee. Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak chairs the Committee.

The aim of the Committee is to inform implementation of Council’s Multicultural Policy, provide relevant advice on current issues confronting the multicultural community of Waverley and promote an open communication with these diverse groups and Council.

Functions Of The Committee

• To consult with the local multicultural community and to advise Council on issues relevant to the needs and aspirations of this target group.
• To review the effectiveness of measures aimed at better servicing residents of the multicultural community consistent with Council’s Multicultural Policy.
• To make suggestions for strategies to be incorporated into Council’s Management Plan.
• To inform the multicultural community of the role, the structure and the services of Council.
• To maintain the lines of communication between Council and the culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Waverley area.
• To promote, where possible, partnerships between Council and the culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
• To provide advice and support to projects and cultural events that enhance the harmonious relations among all residents in Waverley.

Membership
Membership of the Committee will include:

• Councillors.
• Up to 10 community representatives, who must be Waverley area residents.
• Up to 5 representatives of local, culture-specific services where possible, or regional agencies, if local ones do not exist.

The membership must reflect the largest cultural/ethnic groups in the area. However, there should be a balance between established and newly arrived groups and smaller groups. Youth should also be included in this representation. Individuals can nominate themselves and forms will be available from the Department of Recreation Customer & Community Services. Membership will be reviewed bi-annually.

Meetings

• The Committee will be meeting quarterly, on the first Thursday of every third month at 6.00pm at Mill Hill Centre. The committee will have the capacity to form issues specific and time- limited working parties as required.
• The committee will be resourced and serviced by the Community Worker-Multicultural.
• An attendance register will be kept of all meetings. Absence from two consecutive meetings without an approval will deem the membership void.
• Minutes of meetings will be forwarded to Councillors, directors and the Bulletin an internal newsletter.

Communication
The function of the Committee is advisory and recommendations of the Committee will be reported and referred to Council, where it is appropriate. Minutes of the meetings will be circulated to all members and all Council’s staff and where appropriate, suitable staff will be invited to attend the Advisory Committee meeting when issues relevant to their Department are discussed.

For further information, please contact Helen Mantziaris at Integrated Planning on 9386 7923 or helenm@waverley.nsw.gov.au.

Last updated 20-Dec-2007