Brimbank Settlement

Action Plan 2019–2023

The Year 4 Brimbank Settlement Action Plan 2019 – 2023 outcomes have ensured

the settlement journey for migrants and newcomers settling in our municipality is

sustainable, optimises opportunities for everyone while supporting multiculturalism,

community harmony and social justice.

The 2021 Census shows Brimbank having 51% of its residents born overseas and

62% speaking languages other than English at home. Our work to welcome migrants

and refugees, enhanced by our status as a “Refugee Welcome Zone” has strength

ened our social diversity.

;

Linked Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD)

communities with a wide range of virtual and face to

face programs at libraries and community centres that

support belonging and learning.

;

Collaborated and referred community members to

the Neighbourhood House Pathway and Employment

program to link newcomers with education, training

and employment needs through a job fair.

;

Ensured diversity and inclusion elements were factors

considered in recruitment and training within Council

run community centres and libraries.

;

Together with Brimbank Service Provider Network

(BSPN) and other key agencies, Council advocated

to State government to support projects that create

employment opportunities for local communities.

;

Delivered community leadership and community

governance training and respond to local needs and

make a positive contribution to the community.

;

Council delivered and supported a range of activities

to promote positive connections celebrating symbolic

days as Refugee Week, Cultural Diversity Week,

IDAHOBIT, and International Women’s Day.

;

Council’s “Living in Your Neighbourhood” program

helped build knowledge of Council services and

Australian Government Systems, by facilitating tours

to several service areas.

;

Council provided translation and interpreting services

that allowed newcomers with limited English or no

English to participate in community activities.

;

Continued to build on the Brimbank Youth Council

initiatives such as combating racism among young

people.

;

Shared service information through the Brimbank

Service Providers Network meetings and identified

service gaps for recently arrived migrants,

opportunities for collaboration and ways to reduce

service duplication.

;

Delivered cultural awareness sessions to the Brimbank

Service Providers network e.g. LGBTQIA+ and First

Nations people sessions, especially around the VOICE

to Parliament and the upcoming referendum.

;

Council encouraged the use of community facilities by

providing affordable women only swimming programs.

;

Council assisted CALD communities to access annual

community grants by providing information in multiple

languages and access to interpreter services.

;

As an executive member of the Local Government

Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum,

through the Back Your Neighbour Campaign, Council

has mobilised community support to influence federal

policies around a fairer Refugee Status Determination

process through sending letters and meeting with

Members of Parliament and tabling Notions of

Motions at respective Ordinary Council Meetings.

;

Council convened a Brimbank Service Provider

Network meeting that brought in the major players

in the affordable housing and homelessness sector.

Critical information on focus areas, challenges and

opportunities for collaboration were shared among

service providers, local and state government

representatives. The housing needs of newly arrived

communities was among the top priorities to be

addressed.

;

Council continues to roll out the homelessness

protocol that is intended to provide an integrated,

consistent and flexible approach for Council staff

to safely engage and support people experiencing

homelessness.

;

Council officers and service partners worked together

to address complex social issues at selected areas

around the municipality related to the challenges of

housing, homelessness and substance abuse where

required, partnerships were developed with services

to provide culturally specific support.

;

Council officers worked with relevant service

providers such as MiCare to facilitate research and

learnings from the COVID pandemic and how these

can be used for future preparedness against any

other emergence, particularly how it impacts the

most vulnerable. For example, accurate translation

of documents.

;

Council worked with the multi-agency Municipal

Emergency Management Planning Committee

(MEMPC) to explore diverse communities

vulnerabilities and exposures to emergencies.

;

Council coordinated locally based COVID-19 recovery

responses that targeted Culturally and Linguistically

Diverse (CALD) Local Partnerships through its

Community Grants program.

;

Council continued to work with the Brimbank

Maribyrnong Interfaith Network (BMIN) to maintain

the vital messaging link to their congregations.

250 - 0823

9249 4000

info@brimbank.vic.gov.au

PO Box 70, Sunshine, VIC 3020

• TTY dial

133 677

• Speak & Listen

1300 555 727

•

www.relayservice.gov.au

, then enter

03 9249 4000

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