hume city council multicultural discussion paper · hume city council > multicultural discussion...

www.hume.vic.gov.au T: 9205 2200

HUME CITY COUNCIL MULTICULTURAL DISCUSSION PAPERThis Discussion Paper will assist Council and the community in developing the Hume City Council Multicultural Action Plan 2013 – 2018

HUME CITY COUNCIL MULTICULTURAL DISCUSSION PAPER > 3

WHAT? You have been invited to participate in the consultation process to develop the Hume City Council Multicultural Action Plan 2013 – 2018 (MAP). Your contribution will be used to inform the Action Plan, which will be presented to Council for adoption and implementation.

WHEN? The consultation process will be open from Tuesday 14 May 2013. The first phase of consultation will inform the Draft MAP, which will be provided to the community for a second phase of consultation in late 2013. This process will ensure that all feedback is considered in the development of the final MAP.

HOW?There are a number of ways you can have input into the development of the MAP:

• Attend a community forum – forums will be held during May through June. To be notified of forum details, contact: Vicki Renner, Community Capacity Building Coordinator – Western on 9205 2200 or email: [email protected]

• Attend an interpreted forum – forums will be provided in Turkish, Arabic, Assyrian/Chaldean, Vietnamese and Nepalese.

• Write to us: please provide comments and responses to the themes and questions outlined in the Discussion Paper. If the Discussion Paper does not identify issues or actions that you feel are important, please also detail these by:

– Send us an email to: [email protected]

– Write to us marked: Attention Vicki Renner Community Capacity Building Coordinator– Western PO Box 119, Dallas, VIC 3047

FURTHER INFORMATIONFor further information about the development of the MAP, please contact: Vicki Renner, Community Capacity Building Coordinator – Western on 9205 2200 or email at [email protected]

ALTERNATIVE FORMATSAlternative formats of this document are available, including large print. TTY National Relay Service: 133 677

CONSULTATION PROCESS

4 > HUME CITY COUNCIL MULTICULTURAL DISCUSSION PAPER

1. DETAILS & BACKGROUNDCouncil is developing a Multicultural Action Plan (MAP) and we are interested in hearing from community members, groups and agencies in Hume.

1.1 What is a Multicultural Action Plan?The Hume City Council Multicultural Action Plan 2013 – 2018 (MAP) will include a range of actions and priorities for Council to work on over a five-year period to 2018. The actions will focus on improving information, access and participation for migrants and refugees in Hume City, as well as ways to increase community connection and cultural understanding.

Council has identified two distinct but interconnected aims for the MAP.

1. Improve the capacity for migrants and refugees to access and participate in Council services, with specific strategies to address the needs of the most vulnerable.

2. Enhance cultural awareness and relationships throughout Hume City, through activities that encourage community connections and celebrate cultural diversity.

1.2 Why is Council developing a MAP?Hume City is one of the most diverse communities in Australia. The MAP will help Council identify opportunities for celebration and partnership with the community and service organisations and prioritise action areas for the next five years.

The Australian and Victorian Governments, as well as many other Local Governments, have developed multicultural plans, policies or strategies. These documents enable Government and community to work together toward shared goals.

Hume City Council’s MAP will also help Council achieve the vision and intention of the Hume City Council Social Justice Charter 2007. The MAP builds on the One City, Many Cultures Action Plan 2007/08 – 2009/10. The SJC sets the strategic direction for Council in its efforts to increase access, equity and inclusion for the most vulnerable community members of Hume City.

The MAP will follow a similar structure to previous action plans, with actions identified under the three Social Justice Charter themes:

1. Inform and engage

2. Access and participation

3. Advocacy

1.3 How is Council developing the MAP?The MAP is being developed through extensive consultation with community members, services, agencies and community groups. Council has also conducted a review of relevant internal policies and strategies and those emerging from the Victorian and Australian Governments and other Local Governments. The State and Federal policy and strategy analysis identified key areas for direction that are shared across all levels of Government.

In consulting with the community, Council is focusing on key stakeholders, including community members, community organisations, service providers and businesses. Community engagement will occur through a number of avenues including:

1. Interpreted consultations with specific language and cultural groups;

2. Public consultation sessions in Hume City’s key population areas;

3. Opportunity for community to respond in writing to this Discussion Paper; and

4. Focused conversations with service providers.

If you would like details about a community consultation session, please contact Vicki Renner, Community Capacity Building Coordinator – Western on 9205 2200, email [email protected] or visit our website www.hume.vic.gov.au for information. You are also invited to contribute a written submission to Vicki Renner, Community Capacity Building Coordinator – Western at [email protected] or PO Box 119, Dallas VIC 3047.

Council will also engage with key peak organisations in Hume City, including the Multicultural Workers Network, the Migrant Resource Centre North West, Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre and AMES.


1.4 What happens next?After the community engagement, Council will develop a Draft MAP for consideration by Council staff, Councillors, interested community members, community groups and service providers.

The Draft MAP will be available on Council’s website or in paper copy at customer service centres and other community meeting places. A copy of the Draft MAP will be sent to all community members or groups who were involved in the initial consultation.

1.5 When will the final MAP be available?Council expects a Draft Multicultural Action Plan will be available for community consultation by August 2013.

1.6 What do we mean by ‘multicultural’?The word ‘multicultural’ means different things to different people and had its beginnings in 1973 when the Australian Government abolished the ‘White Australia Policy’. In 1978, the Galbally Report recommended Australia adopt its first national policy of multiculturalism, advising a shift away from the previous approach of assimilation. The new cultural policy recognised that migrants could retain their cultural identity while also being supported to become an integrated part of the community over time. This overarching approach to multiculturalism informs Council’s approach to the MAP. Three recent definitions, highlighted here, are also guiding Council’s thinking in the development of the MAP.

The Australian Government’s People of AUSTRALIA, Australia’s Multicultural Policy 2011:

“Multiculturalism is in Australia’s national interest and speaks to fairness and inclusion. It enhances respect and support for cultural, religious and linguistic diversity. It is about Australia’s shared experience and the composition of neighbourhoods. It acknowledges the benefits and potential that cultural diversity brings.”

The Victorian Government’s Vision for Citizenship in a Multicultural Victoria 2012:

“Citizenship is central to the Government’s vision for multicultural affairs in Victoria. Citizenship is broadly conceived as shared rights and responsibilities within a diverse, interdependent and democratic community. This concept of citizenship is the foundation of a successful multicultural society…”

The Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health 2012 Report on Multicultural Policy for Hume City Council:

“…a term that has been used to describe the cultural and linguistic diversity of Australian society. The term ‘multiculturalism’ was a concept and policy developed in response to the increasing diversity of Australian society and mass migration following World War II and the abandonment of racially restrictive immigration policies in the 1960’s.”

1.7 Overview of Hume City multicultural profileHume City is one of the most diverse municipalities in Australia. Around one third of the Hume population was born overseas, with residents coming from 149 different countries. Over four fifths of the population in Hume who were born overseas were born in non-English speaking countries.

Reflecting this cultural diversity, residents of Hume City speak 128 languages, with two fifths of the population speaking a language other than English at home. After English, the most common languages spoken at home are Turkish, Arabic, Italian, Assyrian Neo-Aramaic and Chaldean Neo-Aramaic.

Over three quarters of the overseas born population speaks a language other than English at home and almost two thirds of this group speak English well or very well. However, almost one fifth of the overseas born population speak English not well or not at all.

For more detail, please see Appendix I: Summary Hume Multicultural Community Profile.

Detailed community demographic data is available on Council’s website.


2.1 Local Government ActThe Victorian Local Government Act (1989) indicates that a central role of Local Government is to provide ‘equitable and appropriate services and facilities for the community’. This statement goes to the heart of Council’s approach to access and equity policy, outlined in the Hume City Council Social Justice Charter (2007).

2.2 Providing services and community infrastructureCouncil’s role in the community primarily focuses on providing services and facilities including but not limited to:

• CommunityservicessuchasMaternalandChildHealth,youthservices,preschoolandHomeandCommunityCare;

• Programsthatenhancecommunitywellbeingincludingeventsandfestivals,supportforcommunitygroups,andpartnering with other organisations to deliver projects;

• Facilitiesandcentressuchaslibraries,childcarecentres,communitycentres,parks,sportandleisurecentres;

• Managingwasteservices,animalregistrations,theCouncilroadnetworkandCouncil’senvironmentalactivities;

• Planningforthefutureintermsofdevelopment,environmentalsustainability,communitywellbeing,urbanandruralspaces and business; and

• Regulatoryroleincludinghealthinspectionsoffoodpremises,planningandbuildingpermits,parkingrestrictionsand collecting rates.

2.3 Partnership and advocacyIn addressing community need in Hume City, Council often works in partnership with other organisations and service providers, as well as the State and Federal Governments.

Hume City Council has strong partnerships with organisations including but not limited to neighbourhood houses, community health centres, schools, tertiary education, businesses, shopping centres, local service networks and regional networks.

Where Council does not provide a service that is required in the community, part of Local Government’s role is to advocate to State and Federal Governments for additional resources, including health services, community infrastructure, employment and training opportunities, roads and public transport.

Where other agencies provide services and support for newly arrived migrants and refugees, Council may not have a direct role. At times Council’s role is to advocate to other Government departments or to assist the community to access support provided by community or Government service providers.

2. ROLE Of HUME CITy COUNCIL


2. ROLE Of HUME CITy COUNCIL 3. THEMES fOR THE MAP

These themes are drawn from in the Hume City Council Social Justice Charter (2007).

3.1 INFORM AND ENGAGE

It is vital that people from migrant and refugee backgrounds are informed about the services and programs Council offers and that they are able to communicate with Council in the way that is most effective for them.

This theme provides actions about how, when and through whom Council will communicate with and inform the multicultural community. It provides actions to improve the capacity for migrants and refugees to find the information they need. It also outlines the ways in which Council will engage with the community to seek their ideas and feedback and the ways the community can inform and communicate with Council. This is a two-way theme that also has a focus on increasing cross-cultural awareness and connection throughout Hume City.

3.2 ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION

Access to services, programs, facilities, events and information is key for residents to have their needs met and be able to contribute to their community. It is important the community are able to access the services Council provides, feel welcome at facilities, participate in events and programs, and contribute to planning and decision-making.

This theme outlines the ways in which Council will improve access to services, programs, facilities and decision-making, by removing barriers, changing processes, or supporting the community in different ways. There are a number of barriers that make it difficult for people to come along to a service or get involved in an activity. These challenges are felt more strongly by those who don’t speak or read English and those who don’t understand the role of Council.

3.3 ADVOCACy

A key role of Council, in partnership with the multicultural community of Hume and community agencies, is to ensure other levels of Government are aware of the issues faced by migrants and refugees in Hume City.

This theme identifies a range of experiences, needs and issues that Council will raise with other parties, including the Victorian and Australian Governments, in order to increase funding, services and improved outcomes for the Hume community. The theme is also about the ways in which Council can support and build the capacity of the community to advocate on their own behalf.


4. INfORM AND ENGAGE4.1 Recent actions Council has achieved under the One City, Many Cultures Action Plan:• Multilingual Communications Review and Action Plan developed to improve Council’s verbal and written

communication with non-English speaking residents

• Multicultural Issues Forum (MIF) – the MIF has been engaged a number of times around the communication needs of the multicultural community

• The Hume Interfaith Network and its events have increased cross-cultural awareness and dialogue across different faiths and traditions

• Translated publications – some Council publications have been translated into the most common community languages

• Bilingual staff – some departments have actively recruited staff who are able to interpret or communicate with the multicultural community in Hume

• Translation service – Council coordinates the HumeLink multicultural telephone service for Hume residents, which provides interpreters in nine community languages

• Multicultural engagement – targeted CaLD engagement has occurred through consultation projects including the External Communications Review, the Hume City Learning Together 2030, the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, the Hume City Council Leisure Strategy and the Hume City Council Youth Strategy

4.2 Possible future actions:• Communicate through existing relationships with the community including ethno-specific media; local churches,

mosques and temples; and cultural groups

• Review Council’s interpreting service to ensure it is effective, accessible and providing the language support required

• Wherepossible,prioritiseface-to-face communication via CaLD community organisations, migrant resource centres, community forums or group discussions

• Identify community champions who can spread news and information about Council and facilitate conversations with newly arrived residents

• Investigate visual communication methods as ways to improve understanding about Council’s role and the services and programs it provides

• Hold Council info nights to increase community awareness about Council’s role and services, residents’ rights and responsibilities, and how to get involved

• Identify social media opportunities for multicultural communication and the language and age groups most likely to access social media formats

• Develop specific CaLD engagement plans to ensure major engagement opportunities are accessible to the many migrants and refugees in Hume City

• Support bilingual staff to be available for interpreting between staff and residents

Questions we are seeking your feedback on:1. What is Council currently doing well in informing and engaging with you?

2. What barriers do you experience in communicating and engaging with Council?

3. Where do you currently go for information about support and services available to you?

4. What actions would make a difference so you can find the information you need?

5. What are the top three priorities for Council to focus on in terms of information and engagement?


5. ACCESS & PARTICIPATION5.1 Recent actions Council has achieved under the One City, Many Cultures Action Plan:• Bilingual Storytimes delivered in community venues to make it easier for migrants and refugees to attend and feel

safe

• Community grants and training sessions enable CaLD community groups to organise their own events and programs and support their own communities

• Volunteering in Hume – a number of Council services provide opportunities for the CaLD community to engage in and learn through volunteering

• Multicultural Outreach Workers engage with migrant and refugee young people to increase access to events, activities and learning opportunities

• Community gardens and community kitchens actively engage the CaLD community and provide a range of opportunities for learning and skill development

• Multicultural business – businesses from a range of different cultural and language backgrounds are invited to business events

• Employment and training – Council programs provide adult training and learning that assists migrants and refugees in their job search

5.2 Possible future actions:• Build on festivals and events to bring people together and raise awareness about the cultural diversity in Hume

City

• Challenging racism – participate in the national strategy ‘Racism. It stops with me’ and provide greater opportunities for inter-cultural understanding and respect

• Federal Government Regional Advisory Council (RAC) in Hume region – liaise and create links with the RAC to enable better settlement experiences for refugees

• Engage through sport – investigate partnering with existing clubs and sporting facilities to bring together diverse cultures and residents around a common interest

• Grants and funding support – create opportunities for community to be trained and supported to apply for a range of Council and non-Council grants

• Explore ideas of citizenship and how all people who live, study and work in Hume are citizens and have a role to play in the culture of our city

• Community training – engage with community groups to help them to identify the training they need to develop or support local not-for-profit organisations

Questions we are seeking your feedback on:1. What is Council currently doing well in providing access to services and decision-making?

2. What barriers do you experience in accessing services and facilities?

3. What services do you currently access in Hume City?

4. What are some activities Council can run that will bring people from different cultures together to increase understanding and awareness?

5. How would you like to participate in Council planning and decision-making?

6. What are the top three priorities for Council to focus on in terms of access and participation?


6. ADVOCACy6.1 Recent actions Council has achieved under the One City, Many Cultures Action Plan:• Partnershipsandnetworks– Council facilitates partnerships such as the Hume Early Years Partnership, the Hume

Health and Community Services Alliance, and the Hume Global Learning Village to increase community access to services

• Council advocates to the Australian and Victorian Governments for additional funding, services and support for the Hume community, with some key highlights including the HGLC – Craigieburn, a range of sporting fields across Hume, the Broadmeadows Community Hub and the Hume Multiversity

• The Supporting Parents – Developing Children project is a direct result of Council advocacy and is funded by both the Australian and Victorian Governments, as well as the Scanlon Foundation, a major philanthropic organisation

• Cultural groups are supported to engage with a range of activities including sporting clubs, sporting opportunities, leisure centres, libraries, parks, gardens, facilities and learning centres in a way that celebrates their cultural identity

6.2 Possible future actions:• Employment – through partnerships with businesses and industry, identify initiatives that can assist in reducing

race-based discrimination in employment and recruitment

• Small business – enable and assist migrants from newer communities to establish businesses, which will further create employment opportunities for other refugees and migrants

• Socialenterpriseandhome-basedbusiness– investigate ways grants and existing businesses can contribute to supporting social enterprises and home-based businesses run by CaLD community

• Advocate to Federal Government around linked up support for migrants and refugees, especially in areas such as health, training, employment and housing

• Localpublictransport – identify through partnership and advocacy different local options for public transport, in response to direct community need

• Community engagement – engage with CaLD community on ways to partner with them around advocating for the needs of community and gaps in services

Questions we are seeking your feedback on:1. What do you think Council is doing well in its advocacy role?

2. What key advocacy issues would you like Hume City Council to focus on?

3. How would you like to be involved in advocating for your needs – to Hume City Council and to other levels of Government, agencies and services?

4. What are the top three priorities for Council to focus on in terms of advocacy?


SUMMARy HUME MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITy PROFILE

1. Country of birthHume City is one of the most diverse municipalities in Australia. Around one third of the Hume population were born overseas. Hume residents were born in 149 different countries, with more than four fifths born in non-English speaking countries.

FIGURE 1: COUNTRy OF BIRTH

Hume City - country of birth

2. Languages spokenThe Hume community speaks 128 different languages. Two fifths speak a language other than English at home. The most common are Turkish, Arabic, Italian, Assyrian Neo-Aramaic and Chaldean Neo-Aramaic. Two-thirds of these residents speak English well. However, almost one-fifth of the population doesn’t speak English or don’t speak it well.

The lowest levels of English proficiency are found amongst people born in Vietnam (48.93% not well or not at all), Turkey (36.85% not well or not at all) and Iraq (35.10% not well or not at all). Low English proficiency is also evident amongst persons born in Greece (27.46% not well or not at all), Lebanon (24.53% not well or not at all) and Italy (17.62% not well or not at all).

Figure 12 shows the 15 countries of birth in Hume that have the largest numbers of people with poor English proficiency. A number of countries that are in Hume’s top 15 appear in this list. However, there are seven countries of birth with poor English proficiency that are not in Hume’s largest 15 countries of birth: China, Syria, Cyprus, Croatia, Laos, Bhutan and Iran.

Around half of the population from Laos, Bhutan and Vietnam speak English ‘not well or not at all’.

FIGURE 2: 15 COUNTRIES OF BIRTH WITH LARGEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO SPEAk ENGLISH ‘NOT WELL OR NOT AT ALL’

3. Age profileThe Australian born population is overall younger, with over 60% younger than 34 years, and only 8% aged over 60. In contrast, the overseas born population has a much older age profile, with almost half this group aged between 35-59 (43.14%), and almost one quarter aged 60+ (22.19%).

FIGURE 3: AGE DISTRIBUTION OF HUME POPULATION

Hume Australian born

Hume overeas born

APPENDIX

Australia 62%

English speakingcountry 4%

Non-English speaking country 28%

Not stated 6%

Bh

uta

n

Lao

s

Vie

tnam

Turk

ey

Iraq

Syri

a

Gre

ece

Iran

Leb

ano

n

Cyp

rus

Ital

y

Cro

atia

Sri L

anka

Ind

ia

0

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Ch

ina

excl

ud

es S

AR

s &

Tai

wan

Not statedNot well or not at all

Very wellor well

Englishonly

0-17 years38%

18-34 years26%

35-59 years28%

60+years8%

0-17 years9%

35-59 years45%

60+years23%

18-34 years23%

The age profile of the top 15 countries of birth in Hume reveals some distinct differences. Almost two thirds of the Australian born population are aged 34 or under (63.81%). Over half of the population from India (58.18%), New Zealand (57.56%), and Iraq (50.55%) are aged 34 and under.

A much older age profile is apparent amongst some populations, with over 60% aged 60 and over from Italy (65.52%), Greece (62.03%), Malta (61.86%) and over two fifths aged over 60 from Egypt (42.79%) and the United Kingdom (42.43%). Over two thirds of the Turkey-born population (60.29%) and Vietnam-born (61.12%) are aged 35-49.

4. Migration streamAlmost half of Hume’s overseas born population arrived in Australia before 1991. One fifth arrived since 2006. Some population groups make up a larger proportion of more recent arrivals; for example, almost one quarter of arrivals since 2006 is from Iraq. Almost two fifths of migrants entered on a family visa, around one third on a humanitarian visa and just less than one third on a skilled visa.

FIGURE 4: MIGRATION IN HUME

Proportion of migrants by migration stream Hume 1991-2012

5. Religion in Hume CityOver four fifths of the Hume population nominated a religious affiliation. Over one third of the population identify as Catholic and around 15% identify with Islam. Just over one tenth of the population identify with no religion. The largest growing religion in Hume is Hinduism.

6. Community profile by key population areaAccording the 2011 ABS Census, there are a number of key demographic differences between the three key population areas of Broadmeadows, Craigieburn and Sunbury.

1.1 Sunbury SLA Including: Sunbury, Clarkefield, Wildwood, Diggers Rest and part of BullaAt the time of the ABS Census, 35,162 residents indicated they live in Sunbury. The 2011 Census also shows that 80.2% (28,205) of people living in Sunbury were born in Australia, with 5,426 people born overseas. Residents indicated 86 countries of birth other than Australia.

The table below shows the top ten countries of origin of residents in Sunbury who were born outside of Australia.

(NB: All figures do not include residents who did not state their country of birth.)

Table 1: Sunbury residents not born in Australia

COUNTRy OF BIRTH NUMBER OF RESIDENTS

% OF SUNBURy POPULATION

England 1,441 4.1%

New Zealand 520 1.5%

Italy 274 0.8%

Scotland 272 0.8%

India 265 0.8%

Malta 221 0.6%

Germany 210 0.6%

Philippines 177 0.5%

Ireland 135 0.4%

South Africa 128 0.4%


Family 38%

Humanitarian 31%

Unknown 2%

Skilled 29%


1.2 Craigieburn SLA Including: Craigieburn, Attwood, Greenvale, Kalkallo, Keilor, Melbourne Airport, Mickleham, Oaklands Junction, Roxburgh Park, Somerton, Yuroke, part of Tullamarine and part of BullaAt the time of the ABS Census, 69,709 people indicated they live in Craigieburn. With 61.4% (42,818) people reporting they were born in Australia, nearly 30% (20,233) indicated they were born overseas. Residents indicated 122 countries of birth other than Australia. (These figures do not include residents who did not state their country of birth.)

The table below shows the top ten countries of origin of residents in Craigieburn who were born outside of Australia.

Table 2: Craigieburn residents not born in Australia


% OF CRAIGIEBURN POPULATION

Iraq 3,534 5.1%

India 2,546 3.7%

Turkey 2,353 3.4%

Italy 1,686 2.4%

Sri Lanka 1,593 2.3%

Philippines 1,202 1.7%

New Zealand 1,120 1.6%

England 789 1.1%

Lebanon 769 1.1%

Malta 509 0.7%

1.3 Broadmeadows SLA Including: Broadmeadows, Campbellfield, Coolaroo, Dallas, Gladstone Park, Jacana, Meadow Heights, Westmeadows and part of TullamarineAt the time of the ABS Census, 62,692 people indicated they live in Broadmeadows, with 52.6% (32,968) born in Australia. Nearly 40% (24,772) residents indicated they were born overseas. Residents indicated 132 countries of birth other than Australia. (These figures do not include residents who did not state their country of birth.)

The table below shows the top ten countries of origin of residents in Broadmeadows who were born outside of Australia.

Table 3: Broadmeadows residents not born in Australia


% OF BROADMEADOWS POPULATION

Turkey 4,085 6.5%

Iraq 3,650 5.8%

Lebanon 2,129 3.4%

Italy 1,537 2.5%

India 1,143 1.8%

Vietnam 899 1.4%

New Zealand 758 1.2%

Greece 725 1.2%

England 709 1.1%

Sri Lanka 646 1%

Hume City Council1079 Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows

PO Box 119 Dallas Victoria 3047Telephone 03 9205 2200 Facsimile 03 9309 0109

[email protected]

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