Council Commits to Welcoming Cities Initiative

Council has strengthened its commitment to Mount Isa being a vibrant and multicultural community by becoming a committed member of the Welcoming Cities Network.

Welcoming Australia, through their Welcoming Cities initiative, provides regional councils with support around Welcoming work and regional migration, to advance a diverse and inclusive Australia.

Welcoming Cities is a national network of local governments that are committed to an Australia where everyone can belong and participate in social, cultural, economic and civic life, for greater social cohesion.

Council’s commitment – endorsed at a recent Ordinary Meeting – also means it will implement the Welcoming Cities Standard in future planning.

Mayor Danielle Slade said joining the initiative is not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.

“According to the most recent Queensland Government statistics, more than 3000 Mount Isa residents – or about 16% of the population – were born overseas, with about half of these from non-English-speaking backgrounds,” Cr Slade said.

“And dozens of different nationalities are represented in our community, so it was only logical for Council to become a member of the network and join the initiative.”

As a member, Council has committed to taking the following steps toward creating an environment that unlocks the full potential of all members of the community:

• Join and participate in a network of cities and communities that are committed to becoming more welcoming and inclusive;
• Identify at least one key staff contact for the project that will liaise directly with the Welcoming Cities team;
• Communicate regularly with the Welcoming Cities team, to progress planning and share and learn from practices of other welcoming cities and communities.

“It’s a significant step that recognises the importance of a whole-of-community approach to embracing and supporting cultural diversity, to ensure all people feel like they belong,” Cr Slade said.

“When people feel welcome and included, they actively take part in, and contribute to, community life, which enriches our community and benefits everyone.”