Northern Beaches Council will put its blueprint for greater inclusion of multicultural communities in future decision-making on public exhibition in early 2024.

Council’s draft Championing Diversity – Multicultural Inclusion Plan 2029 identifies the ways that multicultural communities can be better informed and involved in decision making.

It was developed in consultation with the community and is Council’s first step working together in an overall plan to ensure the needs of those from diverse backgrounds have access to the same opportunities as others living in the community.

Mayor Sue Heins said Council’s Championing Diversity Plan provides the direction and guidance to ensure that Council systems and processes can support the unique needs of those who speak community languages.

“Our plan means local multicultural communities will have a seat at the decision- making table and are able to be active and engaged members of our community.

“In developing our plan, more than 500 community members, including many from a multicultural background, told us about their experiences living, working or visiting the Northern Beaches.

“Their input was very important in the formation of our draft plan.

“We want to acknowledge and preserve the Northern Beaches as a place where people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds live together and have a shared sense of belonging, feel safe and can celebrate and share their unique culture.

“This is essential for the long-term viability of our region and our capacity to remain a socially sustainable Northern Beaches.

“Championing Diversity – Multicultural Inclusion Plan 2029 will enable this by creating a path for Council and the community to ensure people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds feel welcome and have the support they need to participate in community life.”

Council’s draft plan will go on public display for six weeks from mid-January to the end of February 2024. In this time, there will be further engagement with the multicultural and broad communities.

Council has recently published on its website a directory which lists all the local support services for people from multicultural backgrounds.