Brimbank Settlement

Action Plan 2019–2023

Almost 50% of Brimbank’s population were born overseas, making it one of the

most culturally diverse municipalities in Australia. Recognising that everyone’s

settlement journey is different, Brimbank City Council is dedicated to supporting and

promoting multiculturalism, community harmony and inclusion. As the community

continues to grow, Council celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion as integral parts

of Brimbank’s cultural fabric.

To enhance Council’s approach to diversity and inclusion, a review was undertaken to

provide a matured framework that considers how social justice, diversity, equity and

inclusion creates a thriving place for everyone and strengthens impact, operational

effectiveness and sustainability.

;

Council convened six Brimbank Service Providers

Network meetings with an average of 25 service

partners attending to share service information,

identify service gaps and identify opportunities for

collaboration and ways to reduce service duplication.

;

Council collaborated with internal/external subject

matter specialists to explore priority service needs

such as homelessness, gambling harm, employment

and education. A directory to support service

providers was created.

;

Council assisted CALD communities to access annual

community grants by providing information and

assisting potential applicants with ideation and

project plan compilation.

;

As an executive member of the Local Government

Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum,

through the Back Your Neighbour Campaign, Council

continued to mobilise community support to advocate

for a fairer Refugee Status Resolution Determination.

;

Council delivered and supported up to 16 events

during cultural diversity week to promote positive

connections and celebrate our rich diversity.

;

Through symbolic dates such as refugee week,

Council promoted events that brought out ordinary

members of our community to participate in activities

that linked them with others, where they shared their

stories and their cultures.

;

Council provided translation and interpreting services

that allowed newcomers with limited English or no

English and hearing or speech impaired to participate,

enjoy and feel included in community activities.

;

Council continued to actively engage with and review

Days of Significance in line with the municipality’s

demographics and considered how these days foster

connections and participation.

;

Council worked with several service providers to

create an service directory linking education, training

and employment services and community to promote

better access.

;

Council has referred community members to the

Neighbourhood House Pathway and Employment

program that links all diverse community members,

especially newcomers with education, training and

employment needs as these are critical factors in the

settlement journey.

;

Council delivered the community leadership

and community governance programs that

responded to local needs, especially those of the

CALD communities and interfaith groups seeking

to be incorporated.

;

Through the Mayoral Taskforce and in

collaboration with other LGAs, Council advocated

for asylum seekers to have access to education,

training and employment.

;

Council convened a special Brimbank Service

Provider Network meeting that brought in the major

players in preventing homelessness rather than

looking at interventions after the fact. The idea

was a multidisciplinary approach which looked at

communities especially those at risk of homelessness,

thus addressing the underlying factors that caused

homelessness in the first instance.

;

Council is collaborating with Vincentcare and its

HomeConnect program to take a holistic approach

to factors that may lead to homelessness and

addressing those before it happens. The program

focuses on challenges and opportunities for

collaboration were shared approaches by service

providers, local and state government representatives

combine for collective impact in mitigating factors the

lead to 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 continues to improve on its homelessness

protocol that is intended to provide an integrated,

consistent and flexible approach for Council

staff to safely engage and support people

experiencing homelessness.

250 - 0823

9249 4000

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PO Box 70, Sunshine, VIC 3020

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133 677

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