Liverpool is the face of multicultural Australia. We have the richness of Aboriginal heritage, cultural diversity and language. We are home to one of the highest concentrations of Australia’s recent arrivals. The cultural diversity of our city creates opportunities to increase the community’s capacity, develop community leadership and help people become active members of society. Liverpool City Council values cultural diversity and is committed to working with all communities across the Liverpool Local Government Area.
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The Liverpool Refugee and Migrant Interagency is a network of service providers from the Liverpool Local Government Area who address issues affecting migrants and refugees.
The interagency is made up of members from a diverse range of service providers including government departments, private sector organisations, schools, child care centres, residents and any interested parties. The interagency raises awareness of issues, advocates and lobbies in relation to migrant and refugee communities.
The interagency is made up of three sub-committees:
- Community Engagement and Social Inclusion;
- Education and Employment;
- Health and Well-being.
Sub-committees action items from the Local Refugee Action Plan and meet bi-monthly.
To join the network contact:
Shabnam Bhanas, Community Development Worker. Tel: 02 8711 7405
The Liverpool Migrant and Refugee Network eGroup was established to facilitate communication among local community workers who work with culturally and linguistically diverse people and others who are interested in refugee and migrant issues.
The eGroup is an email based network which workers can join in order to send and receive information about activities, services, projects and anything of interest.
To join the network contact:
Shabnam Bhanas, Community Development Worker. Tel: 02 8711 74059.
Resources available for Liverpool's multicultural community:
- Australian Citizenship
- Department of Immigration and Citizenship
- Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre
- Refugee Council of Australia
- Federation of Ethnic Communities Council's of Australia
- Ethnic Communities Council of NSW
- Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors
- NSW Refugee Health Service
- Australian Centre for Languages, Adult Migrant English Program
- Australian Human Rights Commission
Liverpool City Council in collaboration with Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre aim to address resettlement through aligned services, delivery and reduce duplication. Liverpool has held four briefing sessions since May 2016 with government and non – government agencies.
Briefing sessions were established to keep the sector up-to-date with information about additional intake and provide an avenue to identify service gaps and a collaborative approach for Liverpool.
From these sessions the Local Refugee Action Plan was developed in collaboration with key stakeholders. The plan has been implemented to help coordinate refugee service delivery, monitor progress against key gaps and needs and inform organisational planning.
We aim to reach out to those who may feel they live ‘in’ a community but are not part ‘of’ it. We seek to engage and give a voice to those who may feel isolated or marginalised and encourage all to participate in all aspects of society.
Liverpool itself is going through rapid and significant economic, demographic, infrastructural, and physical change, becoming one of the fastest growing regions in Sydney.
For example:
- The population itself is expected to almost double, from 180,000 to more than 320,000 over the next 20 years;
- The refugee resettlement, announced by the Australian Government, states that the additional 12,000 Syrian-Iraqi refugees is expected to have a significant impact on Liverpool;
- Liverpool is becoming the learning city. The University Of Wollongong opened in 2017 and will move into larger premises in the new Civic Plaza development. Western Sydney University has opened its new campus in the city centre, significantly expanding higher education opportunities for residents, helping transform the city's knowledge economy and driving business development in the region.
Contact
Shabnam Bhanas, Community Development Worker. Tel: 02 8711 7405.
Liverpool City Council provides information and tours in and around Liverpool for newly arrived migrants and refugees as well as established communities, ageing populations and school groups as part of the operational delivery of its Multicultural Strategy.
Discovery Tours are tailored to each groups needs and interests and it takes them to various Council facilities including the customer service centre, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, local libraries, local parks, children’s services, Liverpool Museum and other places of interest. The tour also provides the community with information about Council services in relation to recycling, household clean ups, the environment, hall hire and many other services.
These tours has allowed new migrants and refugees to get to know about their local Council and gain confidence to access these important services. They have been a successful way of providing information and developing relationships between Council and c diverse community groups.
Outcomes from Discovery Tours:
- Promotes a sense of belonging and attachment to the local area;
- Increased knowledge and understanding about Council and its services;
- Better engagement between Council and various community groups and organisations;
- Increased community confidence in accessing services and facilities;
- Helps communities feel socially included.
Contact
Shabnam Bhanas, Community Development Worker. Tel: 02 9821 7779.
Liverpool Refugee and Migrant Interagency meetings are run by Liverpool City Council in partnership with Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre.
The meetings are an opportunity for networking, information sharing, and discussion of current and emerging issues related to refugees and migrants in the Liverpool Local Government Area for the local service sector.
For further information contact the Liverpool City Council Community Development worker on 1300 36 2170.
