1. Ross Barnett City of Whittlesea
Exploring Policy Approaches: Specific, universal and mixed approaches to council policies supporting multicultural communities
Ross Barnett City of Whittlesea

2. Multiculturalism to Inclusion
City of Whittlesea
Multiculturalism to Inclusion

3. City of Whittlesea Third fastest growing municipality in Victoria
Designated growth area
Population of 202,700 expected to hit 300,000 by 2030
Lower year 12 completion
Higher unemployment
Higher type 2 diabetes rates
High rates of problem gambling

4. City of Whittlesea Migrants from over 140 countries
Over 40 per cent of residents speak a language other than English at home - 30 per cent speak English ‘not well or not at all’
An estimated asylum seeker population of 900 to 1500

5. Inclusion Policy Structures
Multicultural Action Plan
Building Respect: Whittlesea’s Anti-racism Strategy
Asylum Seeker Policy
Other policy structures also address inclusion eg; Reconciliation Action Plan, Disability Action Plan and Gender Equity Strategy

6. Multicultural Action Plan Evolution
2003 – 2005 Access and Equity 2007 – 2011 Multicultural Action Plan – 2018 Many Faces One Community: Multicultural Action Plan 2

7. Anti-Racism Strategy Evolution
LEAD (Localities Embracing and Accepting Diversity) VicHealth and MAV Partnership
Which lead to a significant increase in Council’s understanding of health and social impacts of race based discrimination

8. Asylum Seeker Policy Evolution
A significant increase in the number of Asylum Seekers living in Whittlesea led to an Asylum Seeker Discussion Paper
Councillors voted to become a signatory to the Joint Statement by Victorian Local Governments on Asylum Seekers
2015 – Councillors endorsed an Asylum Seeker Policy

9. Drivers of Policy Development
These policies are driven by;
Political leadership
Commitment to inclusion
Maintenance of social cohesion
Community consultation
Engagement (service providers, key agencies)

10. Council Commitment to Inclusion
Shaping Our Future: Whittlesea 2030 Council Plan
Theme: We share an open expression of cultural heritage
Theme: We provide support to new and emerging communities
Theme: There are programs to promote cultural diversity and address race-based discrimination

11. A Partnership Approach
Achievable through partnership approach with local service providers eg; BSL, AMES, Life without Barriers, WCC
Achievable through partnership approach with local networks eg; WIN, WCLN, WCF
Achievable through partnership approach with local community organisations eg; WMCC,
Multifaceted...

12. The video viewed can be accessed here: