Blacktown - Multicultural Policy Strategy.v1.April21

2021 MULTICULTURAL
Strategy and Policy

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Blacktown City Council
MULTICULTURAL STRATEGY AND POLICY
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ORGANISATIONS INDIVIDUALS PROJECT AUTHORITY A Brief History 4 04 BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL’S SOCIAL PROFILE 32
• Community Development Unit, Elfa Moraitakis (SydWest) • Cr Stephen Bali OAM
Blacktown City Council Susan Vogels (SydWest) Mayor Executive Summary 10 4.1 Community Snapshot 33
Blacktown Multicultural Advisory • SydWest Multicultural Services
Sarjoh Bah (DHS) Blacktown City
Soraya Kassim
Committee (MAC) acknowledges • Community Resource Network (CRN) Abulla Agwa (SydWest) • Kerry Robinson OAM JP Acknowledgment of First Peoples 14 4.2 Cultural Diversity Demographics of Blacktown City 33
the following individuals Lina Cabaero (Asian Women at Work) Chief Executive Officer
• Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Association Semra Guler (WSCF) Blacktown City Council 4.2.1 Top 10 Birthplaces 34
and organisations for their (MECA) Assefa Bekele (Blacktown PAC)
• Vanessa Parkes
contributions to Blacktown • Blacktown Youth Services Association (BYSA) Scyma Afriecq (ECC)
Director, City Living 01 INTRODUCTION
16 4.2.2 Top 10 Languages 35
Patricia Pous (MECA)
Multicultural Policy and Strategy • Afghan Welfare Association Abbas Alvi (SCC)
Blacktown City Council
1.1 Why a Multicultural Policy? 17 4.2.3 Ancestry 38
Jasmina Bajraktarevic-Hayward (STARTTS) • Tony Barnden
• Kurdish Welfare Association
Lisa Gobo (SCC) Manager, Community
• Southern Communities Council (SCC) David Ajang (STARTTS) Development Blacktown City 1.2 Blacktown City Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles 11 4.2.4 Year of Arrival 40
Atem Atem (FCC) Council
• Colyton Public School Hatice Vural (SCC) 1.3 A Social Justice / Human Rights Approach 18 4.2.5 English Language Proficiency 42
• Aid Foundation Dev Singh (CRN)
Giodhini Sivaraj (SydWest) PROJECT LEAD 4.2.6 Religion 44
Sri Vithya (SydWest)
1.4 Legislation 19
• Blacktown Workers Club
Nelia Samcad (PACSI) • Tito Scohel
4.3 Top Line CALD Consultation Outcomes 48
Nalika Padmasena Team Leader, Community Development
02 BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL’S INTEGRATED POLICY
Om Dhungel
James Munroe FRAMEWORK 20 05 OBJECTIVES AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 50
Shashanka Das
Dennis Smith 2.1 Six Strategic Directions 23 5 Policy Objectives 51
Satish Kumar (SCC)
Satish Rai 2.2 How the Multicultural Policy Fits Within the Planning 5.1 Strategies and Key Performance Indicators 52
Kamrun Rahman
Clarissa Stepek
Framework 24
Monir Rowshan 5.2 Community Resilience 55
James Ansumana 2.3 Planning and Reporting o n Multicultural Policy 25
Mark Gibson 5.3 Justice and Fairness 59
Dharshini Perera 03 MULTICULTURAL POLICY OBJECTIVES 26
Jes Varela 5.4 Social and Civic Participation 60
Daniel Gobena
Kittu Randhawa 3.1 Definitions of Multiculturalism 27 5.5 Economic benefits 64
Tony Barden
Debbie Killian 3.2 Key Policy Priorities 29
APPENDIX 1 68
Summary of Findings from Focus Group Consultations 69
p. 2 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INTRODUCTION p. 3

A BRIE F HISTORY A Brief History

In Australian lexicon, the name
In terms of governance structure,
Blacktown Council resembles a UK
MS premises and attended by 27
key CALD community workers across
style municipality governed by the Blacktown.
Blacktown is posited with a sense of European settlers through a West
ambivalence as Blacktown neither Pino Migliorino (Cultural Perspectives,
Minister system of governance yet to
denotes a PLACE like Banyule, FECCA) was the key speaker and
be constitutionally recognised like all
Bendigo, Narrabri or Woollahra, nor Susan Vogels, the manager of
other Councils.
does Blacktown (traditionally known SydWest hosted the forum.
as Darug Country) refers to the people Hence, the policies of Blacktown
The purpose of the forum was to
of this place, the Darug people. Council are not dissimilar to any other
discuss the sector changes affecting
local governments in Australia.
This is because the name Blacktown the job security of the predominantly
is coined by the European settlers in However, unlike any other LGAs, ununionized CALD workers especially
the early 19th century which was, as Blacktown is unique in the sense in the aftermath of global financial
most historians agree, derived from that Blacktown is the largest, non- crisis (GFC) which triggered the exodus
the Native Institute built in Blacktown European, multicultural LGA in of hundreds of welfare workers from
(Plumpton) in 1820s to implement Australia. UK/US to Australia rapidly taking up
the assimilation program for the the available jobs in the sector.
Blacktown is also unique amidst
Aboriginal children removed from other diverse cities in that Blacktown Across greater Sydney, the majority of
their families. Council did not have a multicultural the service managers being of Anglo-
policy until 2019 despite being the European descent, tended to vie for
second largest diverse council in NSW the Anglo/American workers replacing
in 2018. the casualised/ununionized CALD
workers from Arabic/ Asian/African/
Latin American backgrounds.
The resolution of the forum was to
Blacktown thus refers to a place form a professional development
where the First Nations people were network for the CALD workers
contained and institutionalised for alarmed or affected by the post GFC
assimilation, a form of 19th century employment trends.
social engineering proceeded from
The need for a Multicultural Policy was Thus, from the very beginning the
Darwinism. Blacktown does not refer
first publicly articulated in a CALD need for a Multicultural Policy in the
to a place or a TOWN governed by
Workers’ Forum in April 2014 convened largest non-European Multicultural
the Frist Nations People. In fact, there
by Tito Scohel, Community Projects LGA was grounded in the workers’
has been no representation of any
Officer (Grants and Community rights movement especially of CALD
First Nation people on Blacktown
Planning) of Blacktown City Council. workers from across Western Sydney.
Council in the 250 years of Australian
history. The meeting was held at the SydWest
Multicultural Policy Objectives p. 5

1 `
A BRIEF HISTORY MULTICULTURAL STRATEGY AND POLICY
In Western Sydney in general, and in of the predictions outlined in the In March 2016, Tito Scohel met with MAC, the principal agenda item was Due to his background of diversity Community Development Team
Blacktown in particular the following SONG report as the major NGOs in the new Sydwest CEO, Elfa Moraitakis to “Develop a Multicultural Policy” for works across Bankstown and the consulted a total of 800 members
individuals actively supported the Blacktown such as BYSA, DV services, and discussed two critical potential Blacktown City. Nepean region, Tito Scohel was of diverse communities as well as
CALD Workers Network: Women Shelters were facing the grim formations: delegated with the responsibility diverse workforce as part of this Policy
There were two presentations in the
prospects of defunding. By 2020, of leading the development of development process.
Sarjoh Bah (DHS), Abulla Agwa Multicultural Advisory Committee on meeting: the need for a multicultural
Blacktown disappeared from Western Blacktown Multicultural Policy and
(SydWest), Lina Cabaero (Asian Blacktown Council and a Southern policy by Mr Pino Migliorino AM It is also important to note here
Sydney in the grants map of NSW Strategy project.
Women at Work), Semra Guler (WSCF), Communities Council-an advocacy (Cultural Perspective Group) and on that the final year WSU social work
government.
Assefa Bekele (Blacktown PAC), group to support the migrants from Welcoming City by Mr Aleem Ali, CEO Tito Scohel put together a brief and placement students were actively
Scyma Afriecq (ECC), Patricia Pous The second process, Blacktown the countries of Global South. Blacktown Multicultural Advisory Committee Welcoming Cities. EOIs were sought across NSW to involved in the consultation process
(MECA), Abbas Alvi (ECC), Jasmina Emerging Communities Action Plan (MAC) contract a consultant to develop the especially the bilingual students:
Elfa Moraitakis agreed to accord her The MAC members unanimously
Bajraktarevic-Hayward (STARTTS), (BECAP) was initiated by Debbie Policy. Michael Novastares, Oshin Pandita,
support for both formations and as supported the development of
Lisa Gobo (SSI), David Ajang Killian, Director, Community Services Amandeep Nagi, Nang Wang and
per the discussions, Elfa Moraitakis Blacktown Multicultural Policy and six Following an eight weeks long tender
(STARTTS), Hatice Vural (ParraCity), of Blacktown City Council. Anwar Zahid.
wrote a letter to the newly elected Blacktown Aboriginal Custodians Welcome MAC members put their hands up to process, Ms Paula Masselos of
Dev Singh (CRN), Giodhini Sivaraj
BECAP did not contribute to policy Mayor of Blacktown, Cr Steven Bali Diversity join the working party to advance the Embrace Society was contracted as Over next three months, Paula
(SydWest), Sri Vithya (SydWest), Nelia
formulation for the blossoming OAM requesting him to charter an works: Mr Abbas Alvi, Mr Om Dhungel, the consultant to develop the Policy in Masselos collated, all the information
S (PACSI).
diversity in the city, however, instead advisory committee (Multicultural Mr Sarjoh Bah, Mr Jade Cadelina, Ms July 2018. from desktop research, stakeholder
It is worth noting here that there this process facilitated a policy Advisory Committee) to support the Soraya Kassim, Ms Nalika Padmasena interviews, focus group consultations
As part of the development process
were two initiatives and processes, coordination amongst all government interests of the growing number of and Mr Roberto Lastica. and survey reports.
Paula Masselos interviewed the key
although not directly linked to the agencies to support the settlement of multicultural communities (34.3% or
James Ansumana joined Council’s stakeholders/managers of major The first draft was presented to
Policy, but was contributing to the the then emerging South Sudanese 92,843 in 2011) in Blacktown LGA.
Community Development (CD) team CALD services. community development unit in
diversity space in Blacktown. community in Blacktown between
Mayor Stephen Bali set things in just prior to the Committee formation December 2018.
2007-2012. Tito Scohel organised a tour of
The first one, The Voice for SONG motion very quickly and a Mayoral and his appointment led to significant
the city for Paula Masselos, Carol Following consultations with MAC
was published by Tirrania Suhood Some of the key outcomes of BECAP MAC Charter ensued on 2 September increase in CALD engagement in the
Ashworth, Council’s Social Planner and MAC working party the final
which was followed by a collaborative were: 2016 (File ref: 127-55-202). city.
and the members of MAC working policy was presented to Council in
service delivery model articulated
a. keeping Blacktown in the forefront EOIs were sent out to engage diverse The working party met weekly and party members. January 2019 with the hope that the
through Bridges, a drug and alcohol
of policy formulation of all community members for the proposed vigorous debates and discussions Policy implementation tasks would be
service led by Tirrania Suhood. The CD team also convened 10
government agencies Committee. ensued often until 10pm. included in CEO KPIs.
consultations/focus group discussions
The SONG report navigated
b. diffusing, ironically, the threats 30 plus EOIs were received and within Tito Scohel gave presentations of diverse communities and processes: However, MAC was delayed in the
the localised small NGO/service
from the right-wing extremist next six weeks, the largest Committee in various Blacktown forums and BECAP, NEC, BMDI, TSM, African process and the Policy was not
landscapes of Blacktown and
groups due to increased coloured on Council, comprising as many as interagencies (BCI, BMDI, BECAP, (South Sudanese), Arabic, Chinese, adopted by Council prior to the
mourned the gradual obliteration
diversity in the city. 40 members, Blacktown Multicultural Riverstone Forum, VOICE in Seven Fijian, Filipino and Indian communities renewal of the CEO contract.
of localised services due to funding
Advisory Committee (MAC) was Hills, Lalor Park and so on) to build as well as CALD youth and women in
reforms at the onset of a neoliberal Frustrated, the MAC working party
formed. consensus amongst diverse workers the Mount Druitt area.
policy roll out. By 2018 the sector members kept advocating for Council
and communities.
was awakened by the realisation In the first meeting of Blacktown adoption of the Multicultural Policy.
p. 6 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT A Brief History p. 7

1 `
A BRIEF HISTORY MULTICULTURAL STRATEGY AND POLICY
Owing to ongoing advocacy and undertaken using a right and place-

lobbying with the decision makers, the based community development
Policy was finally adopted by Council approaches;
in May 2019.
b. ownership of the policy by the
It is important to note here that MAC local residents under a MAC structure
working party members especially is critical to align the Policy with
Sarjoh Bah, Om Dhungel, Abbas the aspirations/interests of CALD
Alvi and Nalika Padmasena made communities.
representations to Mayor Stephen Bali
In conclusion, Blacktown Multicultural
led by Soraya Kassim, a resident of
Policy is one of the most robust
Ward 4. These members also met with
and progressive social policies ever
Cr Kevin Gillies, Cr Kathy Collins and Cr
formulated in the local government Blacktown Diversity Champions
Susai Benjamin.
setting because this met all the
Pending evaluation, we can modestly requirements of evidence-based
claim that Multicultural Policy is a policy development: captured the
milestone achievement in Blacktown needs and concerns of CALD residents
to enshrine the voices of diverse and workforce, succinctly articulated Blacktown Human Rights Forum, 2016
groups in the City especially in the the hopes and aspirations of diverse
policy void since the abolition of groups in the city and offered a series
White Australia Policy in the 60-70s. of action plans to enshrine the rights
of the diversity in local governance.
This is important in Blacktown context
as Blacktown LGA despite being the
home of the largest Aboriginal (3%)
and diverse community groups (188),
neither communities are represented
(0 Aboriginal-3 CALD) on Council,
nor does their voice shape the policy
formulation or decision-making
process.
Extensive community engagement
and ownership by the residents
(MAC member) is critical for policy
formulations in diversity space:
a. an effective policy formulation
in diversity space is possible if
Diversity and Local NGO Champion:2002
p. 8 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT A Brief History p. 9

EXECUT IV E SU M M A RY Executive Summary

Introduction
Blacktown City Council supports
the concept of multiculturalism,
believes it is central to our identity
and recognises Blacktown as a
vibrant, resilient and valuable diverse
community. Multiculturalism creates a
rich society, brings social and cultural
benefits and contributes to a stronger
economy.
Filipino Community Consultation As a human rights and future

focussed Council with a commitment
to social inclusion, fairness and
respect, Blacktown is building an
innovative, inclusive, well-connected
and caring society.
Given that 46 per cent of people
speak a language other than
English and 32 per cent are from
culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds, it is essential a
comprehensive and integrated
multicultural policy be in place to
empower and engage Blacktown’s
significant multicultural society.
The Multicultural Policy has been
developed within Council’s Integrated
Policy Framework.
Executive Summary p. 11
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Blacktown City Council
Key Priority Areas Multicultural Policy Objectives and c. Community leadership and 4. Social and Civic Participation: 5. Economic Benefits:
Strategies mentoring skills built
The multicultural policy is framed a. Rate payers are provided with a. Blacktown City, in conjunction
around the following key priority d. Water safety program to translated information with Welcoming Cities delivers
1. Social Inclusion: a. Continue to
areas: ensure better safety in the better employment outcomes
enhance community cohesion b. Ethnicity data collected
water, including in the surf and higher employment
> c – Blacktown’s multicultural where good will, respect and fair to identify needs, improve
participation by CALD /
community is entitled to equitable dealings are valued: e. Resident safety, including service and program delivery
refugee groups
access, participation, and women’s safety, is increased
a. Council facilities easily c. Cultural awareness training
contribution to opportunities, b. Council supports local small
accessed for all Blacktown city Council
social, cultural, economic and 3. Justice and Fairness: businesses run by migrants
staff
political life of Blacktown City b. Communities are supported Girls water safety and refugees.
a. Poster campaign promoting
and connected, and local d. Information on how to
> Community Resilience – Building positive benefits of
relationships built use interpreters and the
a strong networked and resilient multicultural Blacktown
Telephone Interpreter Service
community and leadership to c. Cultural diversity is publicly
b. Participation in Refugee distributed
enhance belonging and well-being celebrated Social and Civic Participation
Week to advocate positive
and to realise aspirations and e. Council provides bi-lingual
d. Council funding programs contributions of refugees
responsibilities within the law services for rate payers
fund a quota of multicultural
c. CALD workers’ rights and
> Justice and Fairness – All projects f. Information and
responsibilities promoted
individuals have rights and communications programs
e. Council communications are
responsibilities in an inclusive about council policies and
multilingual and in key ethnic
multicultural society where programs provided in
media channels
Council actively works to stop languages
discrimination, vilification and f. More women, older people
g. Appropriate human
intimidation and workers with poor English,
and financial resources
avail themselves of English
> Social and Civic Participation allocated to allow successful
classes
– Blacktown City Council has implementation of this policy
equitable and accessible policies, 2. Community Resilience: a. Council h. Multicultural policy applied
programs and services for its engages with CALD youth: across all Council directorates
diverse com
a. Active input ad feedback i. Recruitment strategies
> Economic Benefits – Diversity from multicultural community encourage bilingual people to
is a valuable asset providing to identify needs and inform Black Pearl Troupe, 2018 apply
employment and life opportunities planning
that contribute to capacity
building. b. Committees and advisory
bodies have culturally diverse
membership
p. 12 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Executive Summary p. 13

ACKNOWLEDGMENT Blacktown City Council accepts

and acknowledges that Australia’s
OF FIRST PEOPLES
First Nations’ culture is the oldest
continuous living culture in the world.
The custodianship of the Darug
people is acknowledged and respect
is paid to Elders past, present and
emerging.
Implicit in the development of the
Blacktown City Council Multicultural
Policy, is the notion that our
culturally diverse and socially
inclusive community undertakes to
work together for a united city that
respects and values the contribution
of all people of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander heritage.
Acknowledgment of First Peoples p. 15

01
1 INTRODUCTION 1.2 Blacktown City Vision, Mission GUIDING PRINCIPLES
IN TRODUC TION 1.1 Why a Multicultural Policy?

Blacktown City supports the concept
and Guiding Principles
Our Blacktown 2036 is the latest
The Plan identifies the following
guiding principles that inform and
direct the development of the City
Community Strategic Plan, which
of multiculturalism, believes it is details how Council will work with into the future:
central to our identity and recognises residents, ratepayers and businesses > Sustainability
Blacktown as a vibrant, resilient and to ensure a sustainable future.
valuable diverse community. > Leadership
The Plan also reaffirms the vision, > Innovation
Multiculturalism creates a rich society, mission and six guiding principles.
brings social and cultural benefits and > Equity
contributes to a strong economy. While the multicultural policy will be
informed by these guiding principles, > Partnership
As a future focussed council with specific key policy priories have been
a commitment to social inclusion, > Excellence.
Blacktown Diversity Champions, 2012 developed and addressed in
fairness and respect, Blacktown is Section 3.
building an innovative, inclusive, well-
connected and caring society. VISION
‘City of Excellence – diverse, dynamic
Given that 46 per cent of people
and progressive’
speak a language other than
English and 32 per cent are from
culturally and linguistically diverse MISSION
backgrounds, it is essential a
‘To provide our community with the
comprehensive and integrated
best living and working environment
multicultural policy be in place to
through commitment to service’
empower and engage Blacktown’s
significant multicultural society.
Advancing Blacktown’s diverse
communities is also explicit in the
vision, mission and values of the City
of Blacktown.
Introduction p. 17
01 INTRODUCTION
1.3 A Social Justice/Human Rights The Charter identifies human rights as The Framework identifies four Hume
being essential in a democratic and interconnected and overlapping https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/files/content/ 1.4 Legislation
Approach
inclusive society that ‘respects the rule elements: hume_website/about_us_contact_details/ The primary provision for councils with
Blacktown City employs a human of law, human dignity, equality and your_council/media_publications_amp_
> principles, respect to multiculturalism is set out in
rights perspective as an overarching forms/policies_amp_strategies/policies/
freedom’. the Council’s Charter as defined in the
tenet in the development of its cp2004-03-57_social_justice_charter.pdf
> rights, Local Government Act 1993.
strategic plans, policies and service In addition to rights and
delivery. responsibilities, the Charter places > actions It allows councils to perform their
obligations on government to functions ‘in a manner that is
In developing its Social Profile, > and accountability
ensure human rights are valued and consistent with and actively promotes
Blacktown City takes heed of its protected ie indivisibility. as detailed in figure 1. the principles of multiculturalism’ (s.8
communities’ needs and aspirations.
https://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/ (1) dot point 3).
It is underpinned by the principles of about-us/legislation/human-rights The Local Government (General)
equity, access and social justice and
Interestingly, Hume Council has Regulations 2005 establishes the
has 11 indices, which are elaborated
enshrined its commitment to a human principle framework for a council to
upon in Section 4. Chinese Community Consultation
rights approach through their Social exercise its functions ‘with due regard
The National Economic and Social Justice Policy Framework. to the cultural and linguistic diversity
Rights Initiative (NESRI, New York) of its community’.
defines such an approach as Hume defines social justice as:
The Multicultural NSW Act 2000
protecting civil, political, economic, > Reducing economic and social (formerly Community Relations
social and cultural rights. inequality Commission and Principles of
Six principles are identified, > Equal human rights guaranteed Multiculturalism Act 2000) gives CEOs
being universality, indivisibility, of public authorities, the definition
participation, accountability, > Full participation in society of which includes local councils,
transparency and non-discrimination. > Past and present decisions and responsibility for implementing the
actions affect future generations. Principles of Multiculturalism in a way
https://www.nesri.org/programs/
that is best suited to the needs of their
what-are-the-basic-principles-of-the-
local communities.
human-rights-framework
Federal government legislation that
The Victorian Multicultural
may inform the development of
Commission also applies a human
multicultural policy includes the Racial
rights lens across its policy work by Fijian Community Consultation Discrimination Act 1975, and the
virtue of their Charter of Human
Human Right Commission Act 1986.
Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.
Figure 01.
Hume Social Justice Policy Framework
p. 18 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Introduction p. 19

02 BLACKTOW N C ITY CO U N C IL’S

IN TEGRATE D P OLICY F R AM EWO RK
2 Blacktown City Council’s
Integrated Policy
Framework
Blacktown City Council abides by the
integrated planning and reporting
framework, which was mandated by
the NSW government in 2009.
This legislation was introduced to
strengthen councils’ strategic focus
and integration of statutory planning
and reporting processes.
It ensures councils make short,
medium and long-term plans that
meet community needs and operate
sustainably.
It is a requirement to produce the
following set of strategic plans (refer
figure 2):
> Community strategic plan – 10+
years
> Delivery Program – every 4 years,
upon election of a new Council
> Operational Plan – 1 year
> Annual Report.
Figure 02.
Integrated Planning and
Reporting Framework (Our
Blacktown 2036)
Sports plays a major role in the community
- A Sporting City
Blacktown City Council’s Integrated

p. 21
Policy Framework
02 Integrated Policy Framework MULTICULTURAL STRATEGY AND POLICY
A 10 year Resourcing Strategy, 2.1 Six Strategic Directions 4. A growing city supported by
comprising a Long Term Financial accessible infrastructure –
Blacktown’s long term Community
Plan, Workforce Management Plan, neighbourhoods are well planned
Strategic Plan, Our Blacktown 2036,
an Asset Management Strategy and and liveable with housing,
identifies six strategic directions that
Blacktown’s Social Profile, inform the transport and infrastructure that
drive the planning process.
Integrated Strategic Plan. meet the diverse needs of our
These strategic directions address growing community
Progress on Council’s implementation social, environmental, economic and
of the Delivery and Operational civic leadership aspirations and are: 5. A sporting and active City – is
Plans is reported each year to the the recognised sporting capital
community in the Annual Report. 1. A vibrant and inclusive city – local of Western Sydney with world
The plans, based on the quadruple communities are welcoming, standard sporting venues
bottom line principles of social, vibrant and inclusive enabling and events and community
environmental, economic and civic individuals and groups to achieve participation in local sports
leadership / governance (figure 3), are their potential and the City to supporting an active and healthy
driven by the overall vision and long- prosper as a centre of culture, lifestyle
term community objectives and must Community consultation Blacktown Diversity Champions, 2012 creativity and learning
6. A leading City – Blacktown City
fit together. 2. A clean, sustainable and healthy leads through a shared vision,
In formulating the plans, a process environment – local places and engaged civic governance and
of community and stakeholder spaces are clean and healthy, excellent services and systems.
engagement is undertaken and once turning sustainability awareness
the plans are finalised, go on public into action to halt or reverse
exhibition for input before final negative impacts on our built and
Figure 03.
approval by Council. natural environment
Quadruple Bottom Line (Our Blacktown 2036)
3. Smart and Prosperous economy
– strategic opportunities and
partnerships facilitate sustainable
growth of our local and regional
economy, attract investment to
At the election of a new council every
our City and foster local business
four years, the Community Strategic
and employment
Plan and Delivery Program must
be reviewed to ensure they meet
the present and future needs of the
community. A sporting and active City
p. 22 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Integrated Policy Framework p. 23

02 Integrated Policy Framework MULTICULTURAL STRATEGY AND POLICY
2.2 How the Multicultural Policy 4. Operational Plan (annual) – 2.3 Planning and Reporting on
Fits Within the Planning specific actions, measures and Multicultural Policy
Framework targets provide details about how
the multicultural policy will be The four-year Delivery Program is
The multicultural policy slots into implemented the statement of commitment to the
the integrated planning process as community, and is designated as the
follows (figure 4): 5. Annual report – reports progress point of reference for all principle
on the implementation of the activities undertaken by Council for
1. Community Strategic Plan (10+ multicultural policy as well as the duration of its term in office.
years) – reviewed every four other strategies, which support All plans, projects, activities and
years and is based on extensive access and equity principles. Blacktown Diversity Champions in Seven Hills, funding allocations are directly
community consultation, which 2009 linked to the Delivery Program.
includes CALD communities.
Principle strategies relating to CALD
Shared vision and blueprint
communities are translated into
guiding Council and community
actions and integrated at this point.
with broad directions to address
community priorities. The Blacktown City Council
Multicultural Policy will draw
2. Key Plans and Policies – reviewed together all strategies relating to
and developed in consultation multiculturalism in Blacktown.
with the community to meet
legislative requirements and
shape strategic directions. The
Multicultural Policy is one such
policy.
3. Delivery Program (4 years)

Figure 04.
– development of this plan How Multicultural Policy Fits into Planning
considers input from council staff Framework
and the community with directions
translated into broad cross
council strategies, measures and
outcomes. Multicultural objectives
are included at this point. Blacktown Diversity Champions, 2010
p. 24 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Integrated Policy Framework p. 25

03 M U LT IC ULTURAL P O L IC Y
OBJEC TIVE S
3 Multicultural Policy
Objectives
Multiculturalism emerged in the 1970s
replacing the White Australia Policy,
3.1 Definitions of Multiculturalism
There have been many definitions
of multiculturalism through the
years based on the particular
perspectives of the government of
5.
6.
provide the greatest possible
access to government
programs and services
promote and maximise the
value of our diverse cultural
which was in effect between 1901 the day, but always as an exercise and linguistic heritage to
and 1973, and which restricted non- of nation building. develop NSW.
European immigration into Australia.
However contemporary
This assimilationist policy was definitions of multiculturalism
designed to preserve the British have guided the development of
ethno-cultural identity of the this policy.
Australian nation, promote European Multicultural NSW defines six
migration and to exclude people who Multicultural Principles, which
did not fit in to the European / Anglo guide the development and
Celtic character of the Australian implementation of multicultural
society. policy in NSW. In essence, these
The election of the Whitlam principles commit the government
government in 1973 saw the abolition and the people of NSW to:
of the White Australia Policy and the 1. share democratic values,
introduction of the revolutionary and governed by the rule of law
progressive policy of multiculturalism. and promote a unified
Successive governments have commitment to Australia
continued with this policy in various 2. accept that we have diverse
forms, to the present day. linguistic, religious and
ancestral backgrounds
3. create opportunities for all
people to participate in all
aspects of public life
4. respect and provide for
different cultures, languages
and religions, with English
Blacktown Diversity Champions, 2018 recognised as our common
language
Multicultural Policy Objectives p. 27

1 `
03
Multicultural Policy Objectives MULTICULTURAL STRATEGY AND POLICY
In 2017, the Federal Coalition The former Race Discrimination groups. The principles of multiculturalism 3. All people — regardless of 3.2 Key Policy Priorities
Government released its Commissioner, Social compacts are organised are central to Australian culture, ethnicity, religion,
In considering the various definitions
Australian multicultural statement Dr Tim Soutphommasane states around a complex set of agreed democracy and a key pillar of our language, place of birth or
of multiculturalism and Blacktown
Multicultural Australia, United, in his paper, The Success of national values and goals, civil society. These principles are citizenship status — should
City Council’s commitment to human
Strong and Successful which Australia’s Multiculturalism, ‘… normative and structural systems expressed within the context of: have equal rights and the right
rights and social justice frameworks,
renewed and reaffirmed the there is public endorsement and as well as policy, budgetary and > a unified commitment to the to participate equally in social,
the following key priority areas have
Federal Coalition Government’s recognition of cultural diversity. program responses put in place to state, its interests and future economic and cultural life.
been identified:
commitment to a multicultural Australia’s multiculturalism manage diversity’. 4. Australia is a culturally diverse
> recognition of the importance
Australia where racism and is based on a compact of society and this should be 3.2.1 Social Inclusion:
The NSW Australian Labor Party of shared values governed
discrimination have no place, citizenship. fully reflected in Australia’s
included the following in its by the rule of law within a a. Accept that the people of
and predicated on the following social, business and political
Cultural differences are to be policy platform at the 2018 State democratic framework Blacktown have diverse
principles: institutions.
embraced, but only when they Conference: Mount Druitt Women Consultation > all citizens having equal rights linguistic, religious, ethnic and
1. shared values of respect, are consistent with living in an 5. The Australian Greens should ancestral backgrounds
‘The concept of multiculturalism and responsibilities irrespective
equality and freedom Australian democracy… Any represent the cultural diversity
is central to our national of their cultural, racial or b. Respect and provide for
right to express one’s cultural identity. New South Wales linguistic background. of Australian society in its
2. shared rights and different cultures, languages
identity and heritage has been is a vibrant, egalitarian and own organisation, and in all
responsibilities MAC Blacktown tour, 2018 This platform will drive the and religions, with English
accompanied by responsibilities. resilient multicultural society of its policies, processes and
development of multicultural recognised as the common
3. safe and secure Australia There must be a commitment to and is dedicated to building a activities, in Parliament and in
policy should it win government in language
liberal democratic values – to united, harmonious and inclusive the community.
the future.
4. shared vision for the future parliamentary democracy, to community 6. Racism in all forms is c. All individuals in Blacktown
The Greens have seven principles are equally entitled to access
5. encouraging economic and the rule of law, to equality of the A commitment to multiculturalism unacceptable and the
of multiculturalism: opportunities, and participate
social participation of new sexes, to freedom of speech’. is central to our state and national Australian government should
1. Australia’s cultural plurality is combat racial and religious in and contribute to, the
arrivals Page four of the paper, Australian interest as it creates a rich society,
a part of the nation’s identity prejudice in all its forms. social, cultural, economic and
Multiculturalism, 2016, states brings social and cultural benefits,
6. harnessing advantages of our and should be recognised political life of Blacktown City
‘multiculturalism can be contributes to a strong economy, 7. There is diversity within each
diversity and shared national understood as a social compact or helps drive prosperity, and 2. People have the right to of Australia’s multicultural d. Blacktown’s cultural diversity
interest where English remains agreement about how to arrange promotes community resilience. celebrate and express their communities. is reflected through the
our national language social, political and economic cultural heritage within media, through the arts and
relationships between different universally accepted human other channels that reflect
7. continue to build harmonious rights.
cultural strata. Blacktown Diversity Champions Blacktown as a diverse
and socially cohesive
In modern societies … such community.
communities.
compacts are founded on the
principle of equality of status
and opportunity and involve
the sharing of power and wealth
between different ethno-cultural
p. 28 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Multicultural Policy Objectives p. 29

1 `
03
Multicultural Policy Objectives MULTICULTURAL STRATEGY AND POLICY
3.2.2 Community Resilience: 3.2.3 Justice and Fairness: c. Ensure all individuals, 3.2.4 Social and Civic participation: 3.2.5 Economic Benefits:
regardless of their race,
a. The freedom and opportunity a. A fair, open and liberal a. Create opportunities for a. Accepts, promotes and
ethnicity or cultural
to preserve and express democracy affords all people in Blacktown to maximises the value of
background, should have the
cultural heritage and religious protections against participate in public life Blacktown’s diverse cultural
opportunity to participate in
practice discrimination, vilification and and linguistic heritage to
the community’s democratic b. Ensure culturally appropriate
intimidation on the basis of further build and grow
b. Promote and preserve and political institutions and communication to enhance
race, ethnicity or religion. In Blacktown City
diversity within the rule of processes social and civic participation
supporting this position, it is
law, values, aspirations and b. Work together to build a
acknowledged that: d. Ensure all individuals, c. Blacktown City Council
responsibilities positive and progressive
regardless of their race, policies, programs and
i. Some racial and ethnic future and this co-operation is
c. Build strong and resilient ethnicity or cultural services are equitable and
groups are subject to Social and civic participation to be encouraged
communities that express background, should have fully accessible to all CALD
certain social, political,
a sense of wellbeing equal access to government communities including c. Diversity is an asset and a
economic and legal
and belonging, and that services, programs and recently arrived migrants and valuable resource benefiting
disadvantage and
contribute to community initiatives. refugees Blacktown City and this asset
vulnerability
participation and viability, is translated into meaningful
d. Sustainable and ongoing
and build capacity to thrive ii. People of cultural, racial employment and life
funding and resources
and ethnic minority Diverse Youth Consultation opportunities.
d. Networked, proactive and create community legacies
groups continue to
vibrant communities and and contribute to robust
experience formal as
leadership that are responsive community capacity building
well as informal forms of
and dynamic. and participation.
discrimination, including
economic, social and legal
contexts
b. All individuals have rights
and responsibilities to
contribute positively towards
a peaceful, harmonious and
inclusive multicultural society,
irrespective of citizenship
status
Work together
p. 30 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Multicultural Policy Objectives p. 31

04
BLACKTOW N C ITY CO U N C I L’S

1 4 Blacktown City Council’s 4.1 Community Snapshot 4.2 Cultural Diversity
S OCIAL P ROFIL E Social Profile

Blacktown City Council’s Social Profile
The 2017-2018 Annual Report shows:
> Estimated population of 360,000
Demographics of Blacktown
City
outlines the major social issues Blacktown City Council’s 2017-2018

> A very diverse society with 32% Annual Report identifies 188 different
currently facing Blacktown City council hailing from culturally and
and informs the strategic planning countries of birth represented and 182
linguistically diverse backgrounds languages spoken. A further analysis
process. while 46% speak a language other of Blacktown’s diversity is broken
The Social Profile identifies eleven than English down according to the following 2016
priority areas: social gradient, stress, > 44% of people who live in Census data:
early life, social exclusion, work, Blacktown City, work in Blacktown
unemployment, social support, > Top 10 birthplaces
City
addiction, food, transport, and service > Top 10 languages spoken
development. > Couples with children constitute
45% of the population > Ancestry
People from Culturally and
> Blacktown is a young community > Recent arrivals
Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds:
A Social Profile was developed with the average age of people > English language proficiency
Yazidi New Year Festival concurrently with the Social Profile in being 33 years, and 44% of the
population aged 30 years and > Religion
2016 to further understand the specific
concerns of the CALD community under What the ABS data is able to clearly
against the eleven priority areas. > The average household income demonstrate is that Blacktown City is
per week is $1,709 while the not only a highly diverse community,
A series of community consultations
unemployment rate of 7.3% (2016 the growth in its cultural diversity,
was undertaken as part of this policy
ABS) when compared to the Australian
development to update findings. Top
total population, is significantly
line findings of the consultations are > Households with mortgages higher.
at section 4.2. comprise 42% of the population
while 32% of households are
renters
> 22% hold a bachelor or higher
degree while vocational
qualifications are held by a further
17%.
Blacktown City Council’s Social profile p. 33

04 Blacktown City Council’s Social Profile MULTICULTURAL STRATEGY AND POLICY
4.2.1 Top 10 Birthplaces Table 1 - Birthplace Summary Table 2 – Birthplace 2016 Table 3 – Change in Birthplace 2011 - 2016
Country of Birth data identifies where
Blacktown City 2016 2011 Change
people were born and is indicative
of the level of cultural diversity in Blacktown Blacktown
Birthplace Number Australia % Number Australia % 2011 to 2016
City % City %
Blacktown City.
Total overseas born 136,101 40.4 26.3 113,068 37.6 24.6 +23,033
The mix of Country of Birth groups is
also indicative of historical settlement Non-English speaking
118,252 35.1 18.0 95,185 31.6 15.6 +23,067
background
patterns, as source countries for
Main English speaking
Australia’s immigration program have countries
17,849 5.3 8.2 17,883 5.9 8.7 -34
varied significantly over time.
Australia 182,146 54.1 66.7 173,765 57.7 69.8 +8,381
The Australian Bureau of Statistics
(ABS) confirmed that overall, at the Not stated 18,699 5.5 7.0 14,241 4.7 5.6 +4,458
2016 census, 40% of the Blacktown Total population 336,946 100.0 100.0 301,074 100.0 100.0 +35,872
City population was born overseas,
while 35.1% came from countries Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2011 and 2016
where English was not their first
language. The largest non-English speaking Between 2001 and 2016, the number
Interestingly the Australian country of birth in Blacktown is of people in Blacktown City born
population comprises 26.3% of the India where 5.4% of the population overseas increased by 23,033 or
population born overseas, and 18.0% (compared to 1.5% of Australian 20.4%, and the number of people
from countries where English is not the population), or 25,760, were born. The from a non-English speaking
Philippines was the second highest background increased by 23,067 or Looking at Table 3, the groups that culturally diverse a population is and of those speaking a non-English
first language.
group, followed by New Zealand, 24.2% have had the highest growth rates the degree to which different ethnic language (either exclusively, or in
When compared to the total Fiji, United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, between census periods include groups and nationalities are retaining addition to English).
Australian population, Blacktown China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and people who have come from India their language.
had a larger proportion of people Afghanistan respectively. (10,707), Philippines (2,551), China
At the time of the 2016 census, 41.0%
born overseas as well as a larger (1,591) and Pakistan (1,536). Growth
Table 2 shows top 10 birthplaces for of people in Blacktown City spoke
proportion of people from a non- rates were also seen for people
Blacktown and as compared against a language other than English at
English speaking background. coming from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
the total Australian population. In home. Analysis of the languages
When compared to the 2011 census, and Afghanistan.
all instances with the exception of spoken at home by the Blacktown
Blacktown’s overseas born population
New Zealand, the UK and China, the 4.2.2 Top 10 Languages City population compared to the
has seen a growth, as a proportion,
numbers are proportionally greater Australian total population shows
above that for the total Australian Blacktown City’s language statistics
that for the Australian population. that in 2016 there was a smaller
population (Table 1). show the proportion of people who
proportion of people who spoke
speak a language at home other
English only, and a larger proportion
than English. They indicate how
Blacktown City Council’s p. 35

p. 34 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Social Profile
Table 4 – Language Spoken at Home – Summary Table 5 – Language Spoken at Home, 2016 Table 6 – Change in Language Spoken at Home – 2011 to 2016
Blacktown City 2016 2011 Change

Blacktown Blacktown
Language summary Number Australia % Number Australia % 2011 to 2016
City % City %
Speaks English only 180,924 53.7 72.7 177,070 58.8 76.8 +3,854
Non-English total 138,103 41.0 20.8 111,037 36.9 18.2 +27,066
Not stated 17,903 5.3 6.5 12,965 4.3 5.1 +4,938
Total population 336,930 100.0 100.0 301,072 100.0 100.0 +35,858
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2011 and 2016.
Overall, 53.7% of the Blacktown City The dominant language spoken at By way of comparison, the ABS data
population spoke English only, and home other than English was Tagalog, shows:
41.0% spoke a non-English language, with 4.0% of the population, or 13,556
> A larger percentage speaking
compared with 72.7% and 20.8% people speaking this language at
Tagalog at home (4.0% compared
respectively for the Australian total home.
to 0.5%)
population; refer Table 4.
Other commonly spoken languages
are highlighted in Table 5 with Hindi,
Hindi at home (4.0% compared to
Punjabi, Arabic, Filipino, Urdu, Tamil, The breakdown of change in
0.7%)
Mandarin, Gujarati and Persian / Dari language spoken at home in Table
all within the top 10. Interestingly, > A larger percentage speaking 6 between the two census periods,
when comparing languages spoken Punjabi at home (3.6% compared shows very substantial increases with
at home in Blacktown as compared to 0.6%) Punjabi seeing the biggest growth at
to the total Australian population, all 5,050 people.
languages identified are a higher with
Arabic at home (3.0% compared to This was followed by Gujarati with
the exception of Mandarin, which is
1.4%) 2,823 speakers, Hindi with 2,698
lower.
> Between 2011 and 2016 the number speakers and Mandarin at 2,046 extra
of people living in Blacktown who speakers. Tagalog, Urdu, Tamil, and
spoke a language other than Persian / Dari also saw increases of
English increased by 27,066 or over 1,500 people.
24.4%, while the number of people
who spoke English only, increased
by 3,854 or 2.2%.

Social Profile
4.2.3 Ancestry Australian total population were: Table 7 – Ancestry, 2016 Table 8 – Change in Ancestry, 2011 - 2016 When considering changes in
The ABS defines ancestry as the > A larger percentage of people with ancestry (Table 8), a pattern of
‘cultural association and ethnic Indian ancestry (11.3% compared emerging groups appear.
background of an individual going to 2.6%) The largest changes in the
back three generations.’ Ancestry
> A larger percentage of people with reported ancestries of Blacktown
is a good measure of the total size
Filipino ancestry (8.9% compared City population between 2011 and
of cultural groups in Blacktown
to 1.3%) 2016 were:
regardless of where they were born or
what language they speak. > A smaller percentage of people > Indian (+15,994 persons)
with English ancestry (20.7%
Ancestry data is able to clearly and > English (+4,412 persons)
compared to 33.6%)
strongly show migration trends and
changes in cultural diversity over time. > A smaller percentage of people > Chinese (+4,087 persons)
with Australian ancestry (22.8%
Analysis of the ancestry responses of > Filipino (+4,020 persons).
compared to 31.2%)
the population in Blacktown City in
2016 (Table 7) shows that the top five
ancestries nominated were:
> Australian (76,675 people or
22.8%)
> English (69,712 people or 20.7%)
> Indian (38,064 people or 11.3%)
> Filipino (29,924 people or 8.9%)
> Irish (19,117 people or 5.7%)
In combination these five ancestries

account for 233,492 responses in total,
or 69.29% of all responses.
The major differences between the
ancestries of the Blacktown City
population compared to the

Social Profile
Table 9 – Year of Arrival Table 10 – Overseas Arrivals, 2016
Blacktown City - Total Persons 2016
Year of Arrival in Australia Number Blacktown City % Australia %
2011 to 9 Aug 2016 22,597 16.6 21.5
2006 to 2010 25,534 18.7 16.0
2001 to 2005 18,155 13.3 9.1
1991 to 2000 (10 year period) 27,212 20.0 12.4
1981 to 1990 (10 year period) 19,772 14.5 12.5
1971 to 1980 (10 year period) 8,075 5.9 8.8
1961 to 1970 (10 year period) 7,113 5.2 9.6
Arrived in 1960 or earlier 4,003 2.9 6.7
Not stated 3,824 2.8 3.5
Total 136,285 100.0 100.0
Overall, 61.9% of the Blacktown City The major differences in year of > A smaller percentage of arrivals
4.2.4 Year of Arrival opportunities and pre-existing overseas arrivals (those who arrived overseas born population arrived arrival data between the Blacktown between 1961 to 1970 (10 year
communities located in the area. between 2006 and 2011). before 2006, and 35.3% arrived City population and the Australian period) (5.2% compared to 9.6%).
The Year of Arrival data records when during or after 2006, compared with total population are:
the overseas born population arrived In 2016, 136,285 people were born 59.1% and 37.5% respectively for the
in Australia. overseas of which 16.6% arrived in > A larger percentage of arrivals
Australian total population.
Australia in the previous five years. between 1991 to 2000 (10 year
The data shows the degree to period) (20.0% compared to 12.4%)
which areas are ‘ports’ for new Analysing year of arrival data
overseas arrivals and reveals the detailed in Tables 9 and 10, for > A larger percentage of arrivals
role of Blacktown City in housing the the Blacktown City overseas born between 2001 to 2005 (13.3%
overseas-born. population compared to the compared to 9.1%)
Australian total population, in 2016 > A smaller percentage of arrivals
The number of recent overseas
there was a larger proportion of between 2011 to 9 Aug 2016 (16.6%
arrivals in an area is often determined
people who arrived before 2006, compared to 21.5%)
by housing affordability, employment
and a smaller proportion of recent

Social Profile
Table 11 – Proficiency in English

Table 12 – Change in Proficiency in English, 2011 – 2016
Blacktown City - Total persons 2016 2011 Change
Blacktown Blacktown
English proficiency Number Australia % Number Australia % 2011 to 2016
City % City %
Speaks English only 180,924 53.7 72.7 177,070 58.8 76.8 +3,854
Speaks another language, and

120,945 35.9 17.4 96,866 32.2 15.2 +24,079
English well or very well
Speaks another language, and
17,162 5.1 3.5 14,169 4.7 3.0 +2,993
English not well or not at all
Not stated 17,936 5.3 6.4 12,995 4.3 5.0 +4,941
Total population 336,967 100.0 100.0 301,100 100.0 100.0 +35,867
4.2.5 English Language Proficiency Amongst dominant groups, analysis

of the proficiency in English data
In Blacktown, 17,162 people reported
of the Blacktown City population
difficulty in speaking English.
compared to the Australian total
Proficiency in English measures the population shows that in 2016 there
self-assessed proficiency in spoken was a lower proportion of people Table 12, change in English language
English of people who speak a who spoke English only, and a higher proficiency 2011- 2016, shows the most
language other than English at home. proportion of people who spoke significant changes in the proficiency
another language and English not in English in this area between 2011
The data, when viewed with other
well or not at all (Table 11). and 2016 were in those speaking:
ethnic and cultural indicators, such as
ancestry, country of birth, language > Speaks another language, and
spoken at home and religion, reflects English well or very well (+24,079
Blacktown City’s ethnic composition persons)
and how long the overseas born have
been in Australia. > Not stated (+4,941 persons)
This helps service providers determine > Speaks English only (+3,854
whether they need to communicate persons)
with the local population in > Speaks another language, and
languages other than English. English not well or not at all (+2,993
persons).

Social Profile
4.2.5 Religion The largest single religion in For emerging groups, the largest Table 13 – Religion Summary
Blacktown City at the 2016 census was changes in the religious affiliations
Blacktown City’s religion statistics Blacktown City 2016 2011 Change
Western (Roman) Catholic, with 28.5% of the Blacktown City population
provide an indicator of cultural
of the population or 96,097 people as between 2011 and 2016 were for those
identity and ethnicity when observed Religion totals Number % Australia % Number % Australia % 2011 to 2016
adherents. who nominated:
in conjunction with other key
variables. The major differences between the > Hinduism (+11,385 persons) Christian total 189,842 56.3 52.1 194,052 66.0 61.1 -4,210
religious affiliations of the Blacktown Non Christian total 70,092 20.8 8.2 48,192 16.4 7.2 +21,900
Religion data reveals the major > Christian, nfd (+10,675 persons)
City population compared to the
concentrations of religions as well as
Australian total population were: > Anglican (-9,064 persons) Non-classifiable religious belief 246 0.1 0.2 0 0.0 0.8 +246
revealing the proportion of people
with no religious affiliation. > A larger percentage who > Islam (+5,143 persons). No religion 51,073 15.2 29.9 32,308 11.0 22.3 +18,765
nominated Hinduism (8.5%
There are a number of reasons for Not stated 25,708 7.6 9.6 19,362 6.6 8.6 +6,346
compared to 1.9%)
different religious compositions
across areas including the country of > A larger percentage who Total population 336,961 100.0 100.0 293,914 100.0 100.0 +43,047
birth and ethnic background of the nominated Western (Roman)
population, the age of the population Catholic (28.5% compared to
(belief in religion is generally stronger 22.3%)
the older the population) and
> A larger percentage who
changes in values and belief systems.
nominated Islam (6.7% compared
Analysis of the religious affiliations of to 2.6%)
the dominant groups of the Blacktown
> A larger percentage who
City population compared to the
nominated Sikhism (3.4%
Australian population shows that in
compared to 0.5%).
2016 there was a higher proportion of
people who professed a religion and a
lower proportion who stated they had
no religion.
Overall, 77.1% of the population
nominated a religion, and 15.2% said
they had no religion, compared with
60.4% and 29.9% respectively for the
Australian population.

Social Profile
Table 14 – Religion Ranked by Size Greek Orthodox 3,897 1.2 1.6 4,053 1.4 1.8 -156
Blacktown City 2016 2011 Change Other Protestant 3,129 0.9 0.5 1,974 0.7 0.3 +1,155
Religion Number % Australia % Number % Australia % 2011 to 2016 Coptic Orthodox 3,050 0.9 0.1 2,772 0.9 0.1 +278
Western (Roman) Catholic 96,097 28.5 22.3 100,154 34.1 25.1 -4,057 Latter Day Saints (Mormons) 2,344 0.7 0.3 2,251 0.8 0.3 +93
Anglican 35,863 10.6 13.3 44,927 15.3 17.1 -9,064 Seventh Day Adventist 1,828 0.5 0.3 1,816 0.6 0.3 +12
Hinduism 28,783 8.5 1.9 17,398 5.9 1.3 +11,385 Jehovah's Witnesses 1,189 0.4 0.4 1,187 0.4 0.4 +2
Islam 22,645 6.7 2.6 17,502 6.0 2.2 +5,143 Maronite Catholic 1,157 0.3 0.2 957 0.3 0.1 +200
Sikhism 11,381 3.4 0.5 6,821 2.3 0.3 +4,560 Other Eastern Catholic 1,019 0.3 0.1 727 0.2 0.1 +292
Christian, nfd 10,675 3.2 2.7 0 0.0 2.2 +10,675 Churches of Christ 940 0.3 0.2 934 0.3 0.2 +6
Pentecostal 7,567 2.2 1.1 6,713 2.3 1.1 +854 Serbian Orthodox 799 0.2 0.2 851 0.3 0.2 -52
Uniting Church 6,277 1.9 3.7 8,242 2.8 5.0 -1,965 Other Eastern Orthodox 609 0.2 0.1 1,191 0.4 0.3 -582
Presbyterian and Reformed 5,995 1.8 2.3 6,691 2.3 2.8 -696 Baha'i 505 0.1 0.1 367 0.1 0.1 +138
Buddhism 5,729 1.7 2.4 5,148 1.8 2.5 +581 Other Non-Christian Religions 504 0.1 0.1 370 0.1 0.1 +134
Baptist 4,494 1.3 1.5 4,667 1.6 1.6 -173 Salvation Army 501 0.1 0.2 639 0.2 0.3 -138
Russian Orthodox 486 0.1 0.1 496 0.2 0.1 -10
Lutheran 459 0.1 0.7 861 0.3 1.2 -402
Other Oriental Orthodox 377 0.1 0.1 284 0.1 0.0 +93
Other Christian 311 0.1 0.1 723 0.2 0.1 -412
Macedonian Orthodox 229 0.1 0.2 229 0.1 0.2 0
Armenian Apostolic 214 0.1 0.0 255 0.1 0.0 -41
Assyrian Apostolic 172 0.1 0.1 176 0.1 0.0 -4
Judaism 147 0.0 0.4 148 0.1 0.5 -1
Paganism 138 0.0 0.1 143 0.0 0.1 -5
Brethren 107 0.0 0.1 208 0.1 0.1 -101
Spiritualism 83 0.0 0.0 92 0.0 0.1 -9
Wiccan/Witchcraft 63 0.0 0.0 93 0.0 0.0 -30
Christadelphian 57 0.0 0.0 74 0.0 0.0 -17
Other Nature Religions 46 0.0 0.0 38 0.0 0.0 +8
Chinese and Japanese Religions 40 0.0 2.7 50 0.0 2.2 -10
Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions 28 0.0 0.0 22 0.0 0.0 +6
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2011 and 2016

Social Profile
Table 15 – Religion, 2016 Table 16 – Change in Religion, 2011 - 2016
4.3 Top Line CALD Consultation Blacktown Mount Druitt Combined Discussion topics and outcomes are
Outcomes Interagency (BMMI) and Blacktown at Appendix 1. - Objectives and Key
Emerging Communities Action Plan Performance Indicators
Blacktown City Council’s Community (BECAP).
Development Team conducted focus
group consultations with seven (7) The questionnaire / discussion guide
CALD groups between October and was developed in consultation with
December 2018 at the Blacktown the consultant and members of
Workers Club and Rooty Hill High Multicultural Advisory Committee
school. (MAC) and Community Resource
Network (CRN).
The focus groups include: African,
Chinese, Fijian, Indian, Filipino, Mount The consultations were conducted
Druitt Women’s Circle and Blacktown using the Harwood Model of
Youth. Community Conversations and
World Café model especially for the
Two peak community organisations Blacktown CALD youth forum.
were also consulted comprising

Social Profile
05 OBJEC TIVE S AND KEY

PERFORMANC E INDIC ATO RS
5 Objectives and Key
Performance Indicators
The Multicultural Policy has five (5)
policy objectives:
3. Justice and Fairness
As a fair, open and liberal local
democracy, Blacktown City
acknowledges that all individuals
have rights and responsibilities
1. Social Inclusion to contribute towards a peaceful,
harmonious and inclusive
Recognising that Blacktown residents multicultural society irrespective of
have diverse linguistic, religious, citizenship status. Council actively
cultural and ethnic backgrounds, works to stop discrimination,
they are equally entitled to access vilification and intimidation on the
opportunities, and participate basis of race, ethnicity or religion.
in and contribute to, the social,
cultural, economic and political life of 4. Social and Civic Participation
Blacktown City. Blacktown City Council is committed
2. Community Resilience to ensuring its population can
participate in all aspects of public
By building a strong, networked and life through equitable and accessible
resilient community with a dynamic policies, programs and services that
and responsive leadership, Blacktown are properly resourced, creating
residents can experience a sense of opportunities for enhanced social
belonging and wellbeing where they and civic participation that create
have the freedom to express their community legacies and contribute to
cultural and religious heritage while community capacity building.
being able to realise their aspirations
and responsibilities within the rule of 5. Economic Benefits
law. Blacktown City considers diversity
as an asset and a valuable resource
A better community to live in providing employment and life
Objectives and Key Performance Indicators p. 51

05 Objectives and Key Performance Indicators MULTICULTURAL STRATEGY AND POLICY
5.1 Strategies and Key An Information Bulletin Wall

Performance Indicators Objectives KPI Measure Target providing multilingual information
To continue to enhance Council facilities are Fees and processes for venueand about Council services and events
Social Inclusion at Blacktown CBD, Dawson Mall
community cohesion in easilyaccessible by facility hire are assessedto enable
Blacktown where good will, Blacktown’s multicultural greater access by Blacktown’s Mount Druitt, is erected by
Recognising that Blacktown residents
respect and fair dealings are community. CALD community Organisations. June 2019.
have diverse linguistic, religious,
valued.
cultural and ethnic backgrounds, Note: Civic pride programs Communities are supported and One civic pride program per year
they are equally entitled to access Cultural diversity is A large food and music based build sense of community, connected and local relationships is conducted, which promotes
opportunities, and participate publicly celebrated in Multicultural Festival event is facilitate relationships, and built. volunteering and participation
in and contribute to, the social, Blacktown. organised (Global Table, Food care for local environment. from within CLAD communities.
cultural, economic and political life of Safari) as part of multicultural March E.programs, anti-graffiti,
each year. neighbourhood beautification
Blacktown City. and community gardens.
At least 40% of stall holders at Council allocates a staff
major Council events provide resource to facilitate civic
vegetarian and halalfood options. pride activities.
Cultural diversity is publicly celebrated in
Council funding programs At least 25% of small grant funds Blacktown To increase English language More women avail themselves of Council works with the Adult Migrant
including small grants are allocated to multicultural proficiency as a means of English language classes. English Program (AMEP) and other
programs,allocate funds for projects. facilitating social inclusion, English language providers to
reducing social isolation and providechild care support for women
multicultural Projects. enhancing participation. learning English.
Council funded grant programs
ensure their programs are
accessible to CALD communities. Older people with poor English Council works with the Adult Migrant
language proficiency, avail English Program (AMEP) and English
themselves of English language other language providers to identify
Information and At least one major linguistically and classes. how to meet the needs of this cohort
communications programs culturally appropriate information and to provide such services.
about council policies, campaign is undertaken annually
programs and decisions, are using ethnic press, radio, online and
Workers with poor English language Council works with the AMPE and
undertaken in identified key social media channels. who wish to access English classes other English language providers
languages using suitable
but are unable to because of work to understand the needs of this
ethnic Media. commitments, have their English cohort and develop a offering
language acquisition needs met. that will see this group sign up to
Blacktown Council commits to classes.
maintaining a minimum spend
of 7.5% of media budgets on
multicultural above and below the Diversity is highlighted and celebrated in an
line communications each year empowering and positive manner
p. 52 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Objectives and Key Performance Indicators p. 53

To encourage the artistic Blacktown’s cultural diversity is A major annual Blacktown City 5.2 Community Resilience
andcultural expression of highlighted and celebrated in an Council multicultural festival is Community Resilience
Blacktown’s diverse society empowering and positive manner. organised, implemented and
tofoster social cohesion and promoted, with the inaugural By building a strong, networked and
understanding. Festival being conducted by resilient community with a dynamic
December 2019.
and responsive leadership, Blacktown
An affirmative action policy for the
residents can experience a sense of
employment of local / CALD artists
be instituted. belonging and wellbeing where they
A suitable budget is allocated have the freedom to express their
within Council’s annual budget cultural and religious heritage while
being able to realise their aspirations
Social and civic participation and responsibilities within the rule of
law.
Building a strong, networked and resilient

community
Multicultural Advisory Committee

Objectives KPI Measure Target

An Interfaith Forum of faith leaders
To advocate and participate in actions Council facilitates a labour market is established by July 2019 and
that support the inclusion of and build entry and employment training expo meets quarterly
Council engages with CALDyouth for young unemployed CALD people
on opportunities forculturally diverse
communities which is conducted by end of 2019 To foster and support community
A free community leadership program
/ professional partnerships with
Build community leadership and is developed in conjunction with a
Blacktown’s culturally diverse
mentoring skills suitableorganisation and one (I) course
community as a means to build
delivered by September 2019
A social education and sporting resilience
program for CALD children andyoung
people is conducted weekly. Special A panel of leadership mentors is
needs of CALDgirls and young women developed to mentor participants on
are addressed and accommodated the leadership program by December
2019
Council runs an annual course for

community leaders on how to write a
Council uses consultation processes to successful grant application, how to
actively seek inputand feedback from All community consultation and manage it and how to acquit it
To provide a conduit for the voice of Blacktown’smulticultural community community engagement activities
Blacktown’s multiculturalcommunity to determine needs and inform include at least 40% CALD participants Council runs 2 courses per year for
forward planning community leaders on how to
run a community organisations,

A comprehensive data base of CALD how to chair meetings, financial
organisations and leaders is built and management, fiduciary
maintained responsibilities, Australian law,fair
trading etc
Key multicultural community
organisations are consulted in all
community consultation activities An overarching strategy is
Provide a cost effective and developed by Councils in the
Women from diverse cultural affordable swim safety program Western suburbs of Sydney toprovide
and religious backgrounds are for Blacktown City Council coherent, coordinatedand culturally
specifically consulted in any residents appropriate water safety for CALD
community consultation exercises communities
The Multicultural Advisory Committee Partnering with relevant Surf Life

Council identified Committees undertakes one (1) major community
consultation per year to determine Saving Clubs, conduct 2 x surf safety
and advisory bodies to reflectthe
culturally diverse voice of Blacktown progressof the implementation of the courses annually
various plans

5.3 Justice and Fairness

Working with external experts, trial a As a fair, open and liberal local
Family Strengthening andParenting democracy, Blacktown City
program by August 2019. This acknowledges that all individuals
program may include: transition from have rights and responsibilities
Council works with external providers childhoodto adolescence, adolescent
To build resilient, happy and to provide affordableinformation and violence, children’s development and to contribute towards a peaceful,
functional CALD families. education programs to build resilient mental health, impact of children harmonious and inclusive
and functional families witnessing DV, Australian legal system, multicultural society irrespective of
appropriate discipline, parenting in citizenship status. Council actively
a new culture, soothing techniques for works to stop discrimination,
infants vilification and intimidation on the
basis of race, ethnicity or religion.
Working with the Blacktown Police

and other experts, conduct a Objectives KPI Measure Target
workshop for parents / young people
on online safetyincluding cyber
A positive poster promoting the
bullying, how to identify it and how to To continue to enhance civil society in A positive poster campaign creates
benefits of multiculturalism is
Blacktown where goodwill, respect and a community dialoguepromoting
address itbefore June 2019 produced and distributed to keyoutlets
fair dealings are valued. the benefits of multiculturalism
by June 2019
Working with Police, establish a
Blacktown City residents’ safety,and 24 hour multilingual safety hotline Racism and discrimination towards Minimum of six activities / events are
especially women, is increased where incidents can be reported and migrants and refugees undertaken by Council
registered
are combatted by highlightingand during Refugee Week each year
advocating positive contributions which help initiate a positive
during Refugee Week community dialogue.
Translated brochures about

CALD workers’ rights and workers’ rights included in
responsibilities are promoted
Council’s publications program
An education story about workers’

rights and the Fair Work Ombudsman
is included inCouncil’s newsletter by
June 2019

5.4 Social and Civic Participation

Cultural awareness training seminars
Social and Civic Participation attended by 20% ofCouncil staff
each year.
Blacktown City Council is committed All council staff are trained in
to ensuring its population can cultural awareness
All council staff will have
participate in all aspects of public undertaken cross cultural
life through equitable and accessible awareness training within 5years
policies, programs and services that
are properly resourced, creating All new staff participate in cultural
opportunities for enhanced social awareness training that
and civic participation that create
community legacies and contribute to is part of Blacktown Council’s induction
community capacity building. program
Conduct information sessions to

Objectives KPI Measure Target relevant council staff to reinforce
multicultural policy, goals andactions
Provide translations of all relevant
council information across Council in A fact sheet on How to Use
To facilitate and support community Information that is culturally and the top 12 identified languages (Hindi, All Council staff to attend a workshop
Interpreters and the Telephone
access to Council services, programs linguistically appropriate is provided Punjabi, Arabic, Urdu, Tamil, Mandarin, on best practice use ofinterpreters, and
Interpreter Service (TIS) is distributed
and activities to rate payers how to use the TIS service
Gujarati, Dinka, Tagalog, Turkish, council wide
Afghani and Persian / Dari
An audit of language skills of
Ethnicity data is collected to identify Council provides bi-lingual services Blacktown staff is undertaken and
needs, improve serviceand program for ratepayers who donot speak
suitable direct service staff identified
delivery. Improved collection of ethnicity English well or at all
by June 2019
data in library services, customer
Ethnicity data fields are: country services, child-care centres, corporate
communications, arts programs, Suitable direct service staff undertake
of birth, language spoken, English NAATI accreditationto receive a
language proficiency, date of arrival Council funded or supported services,
successfully funded Council grants language allowance based on the
in Australia / length of residence, use oftheir language skills for any of
religious affiliation, birthplace programs, community events and
participation with council more Council’s direct service delivery
of parent(s) Privacy principles
generally
are respectedand adhered to in Proficiency in a community
collecting ethnicity data. language is included as a
desirable criterion for allfrontline
staff.

Provision is made in Council’s annual Council’s Directorates incorporate

budget for the paymentof language The multicultural policy is relevant multiculturalinitiatives into
applied across all Council
allowance their policies and practices by Dec
Directorates
2019
Information and communications At least one major linguistically and
programs about council policies, culturally appropriate information
programs and decisions, are campaign is undertaken annually using Directorates allocate sufficient
undertaken in identified key human and financial resources to
ethnic press, radio, online and social
languages using suitable ethnicmedia effectively implement byJanuary 2020
media channels
Blacktown Council commits to Ensure key managers have

maintaining a minimum spend clearaccountabilities for the
of7.5% of media budgets on implementation of the multicultural
multicultural above and below the line policy in their areaswithin 3 months of
policy being approved
communications
Council actively develops
Jobs at Blacktown City are advertised in
recruitment strategies to Council develops a trainee
the ethnic media encourage participation of program which engages 20
underrepresented community people from CALD / refugee
To successfully implement and Appropriate human resources are An identified, full time senior position language groups on Council’s backgrounds annually
manage Council’s multicultural allocated to facilitate the successful is created, advertisedand filled by workforce
policy implementation of thispolicy June 2019
An affirmative action recruitment
A senior executive manager is program be developed which
responsible for the delivery of the increases workforce representation
multicultural policy by people of CALD / refugee
backgrounds by1% per year
A suitable budget to support the reviewable after 5 years.
Appropriate financial resourcesare activities of the multicultural project
allocated to facilitate the successful position is allocated in both the Interview panels have at leastone
implementation of thispolicy. Delivery Program budget and the long- (1) person of CALD background
termfinancial plan with suitable experience
participating
Council’s different Directorates identify
funds to support the implementation of
the multicultural policy in their areas of
operation

5.5 Economic benefits Focus Group Consultations: This report incorporates the and stereotyped populist
consultation finding. perceptions. The complete list
Economic Benefit Blacktown City Multicultural of things participants do not
Blacktown City considers diversity Policy and Strategy 2018 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS like about the city is detailed
as an asset and a valuable resource In September 2018, Council’s a. Blacktown City: all in Appendix 1.
providing employment and life Community Development Team was participants stated that they
d. Changes sought: Participants
opportunities, and that contributes to directed to develop Blacktown City love Blacktown City for its
wanted to see: i. a safer City
a positive and progressive future for Multicultural Policy and Strategy. diversity and multiculturalism.
ii. an environmentally friendly
all Blacktown citizens. In addition, members of
As part of the process Community City; iii. an affordable City;
established communities
Development Team conducted and iv. a resilient thriving City
Objectives KPI Measure Target emphatically stated that
consultations of seven (8) CALD focus with good infrastructure and
despite having the ability
Blacktown Council and groups and two processes. support services.
Welcoming Cities deliver to reside in more affluent
To build Blacktown City as Council partners with BlacktownWSITAFEs to suburbs/post codes they e. Council communication with
thepremium workplace in the
better employment outcomes
introduce a job readiness program for young CALD / The focus groups include: African,
Western Suburbs
and higher employment
refugee people by January 2020 Chinese, Fijian, Indian, Filipino, Mount chose to live in Blacktown CALD communities: Except
participationby CALD / refugee City as the City resonates for participants linked to
Druitt Women’s Circle and Blacktown
community in Blacktown Council’s advisory bodies, all
Youth. with their identity, hopes and
Research commissioned into understanding dreams. participants stated that they
businesses in Blacktown, their staff and training The processes comprised Blacktown rarely receive any information
needs as well as identifying potential business Mount Druitt Combined Interagency b. Favourite places in Blacktown
on Council activities, events
opportunities for CALD /refugees for growth and (BMMI) and Blacktown Emerging City: the top City landmarks
or festivals. They further
development in the next 10 years completed by Communities Action Plan (BECAP). of the list include: Blacktown
June 2020 stated that they prefer
Showground, Blacktown
The questionnaire was developed Council communications be
International Sports Park,
Works with job search agencies and business to identify and in consultation with the members of disseminated in respective
Blacktown Workers Club,
reduce barriers to employmentfor migrants and refugees Multicultural Advisory Committee community languages.
WestPoint, Suburban
Council works with federal, stateand others in job creation (MAC) and Community Resource shopping centres, Reservoir f. Frontline Customer Service:
activities targeting CALD / refugee people Network (CRN). Park, Drive in movies, Animal Most participants stated
Partnering with relevant local institutions and businesses, The consultations were conducted Holding Facility, Swimming that they find it difficult to
a mentor program is establishedby Dec 2019 that links using Harwood Model of Community Pools, Featherdale Park, clubs communicate with front
skilled migrants and refugees to professional mentors to Conversations and World Café model and pubs. line customer service team
create pathways to meaningful employment especially over the phone.
especially for the Blacktown CALD c. Things not liked about
youth forum. The frontline customer service
Council works with the relevant education provider to Blacktown City: Participants
is inadequate i.e. standard
establishrecognition of overseas qualifications pathways Blacktown Workers Club and Rooty in general do not like the
response is redirection to
Hill High provided venues for these stigmata attached to
Council website which is not
Council conducts an SME business seminar for consultations held between October- Blacktown City and the image
Council supports local migrants and refugees addressing business user friendly and hard to
December 2018. of the City in the media
smallbusinesses development, Fair Trading, Australian law, start up navigate. Most participants
support, financing and networking by Dec 2019

prefer front line customer i. Public transport:

service staff to be bi-lingual inadequate and
so that they can communicate unreliable: takes almost
and advise on complex 2 hours to get to Quakers
enquiries such as aged care, Hill from Doonside or from
NDIS, grants. the Hills to Blacktown
CBD.
g. Council facilities: Most
participants have no ii. Heat waves and rising
information about council temperature and lack of
facilities such as community trees in the suburbs and
centres except for the libraries public places viz. parks
and swimming pools. and reserves
h. Civic experience: Most iii. Raising discrimination
participants expressed (work place) and racism
concerns about: (public places). “It’s a
big Struggle Street for
migrants” one participant
summed up
iv. Lack of local employment
opportunities. Most
participants expect
Council to do something
to improve local
employment.
v. Absence of recreational
facilities such as similar to
Riverside theatre
vi. Stigmata attached to
Blacktown City (a place)
vii. Housing affordability

APPEN D IX 1 Appendix 1 1 What do you like about living in Blacktown City?

Summary of Findings from
S U M M A RY OF F I ND I NGS F ROM FOCUS GROUP
Multiculturalism Entertainment centres
Focus Group Consultations Diversity Different opportunities for youth programs
CO N S U LTATI ONS Blacktown Workers Club, Plumpton

Community
Great Facilities
Everything is where you need it
Where you were raised
High School, October-December 2018
Transport Parks and leisure centres
Project Lead Accessibility Shopping centres
Tito Scohel, Inclusiveness The CBD
Team Leader Community
Development, Blacktown City Council Proximity to everything Sporting facilities
Consultations Great Clubs Connected communities
Tito Scohel, Close proximity to one another Events and festivals

Team Leader Community Ethnic food A sense of community
Development
Ethnic shops Friendship
Jes Varela,
Youth Development Officer
Special thanks to
Amandeep K Nagi,
Michael Novesteras,
Nan Wang and
Oshin Pandita (Social Work, WSU)
APPENDIX 1 p. 69
APPENDIX 1 MULTICULTURAL STRATEGY AND POLICY
2 Where are your favourite places? 3 What do you like about those places? 4 What don’t you like about those places?
Blacktown Workers Club WestPoint Well maintained JP services Wasting money on things you don’t need Rising expenses Absence of youth counselling programs Lack of nursing homes
Shopping centres Reservoir park Respectful people Available to all Stigma Underdeveloped facilities Culturally appropriate health and
Absence of culturally appropriate
Parks Home, sleep Peacefulness They are fun wellbeing programs i.e. yoga, community
aged care facilities for Fijian Indians
Gangs Discrimination counselling
Entertainment facilities Food courts Average, comfortable Accessible
Fights Overcrowded No culturally appropriate food in services Lack of cultural events
Blacktown train station Drive in movies Social places Air conditioned
Hebersham park Animal Holding Facility All different cultures Wide variety of people Racism Rent too high Congestion on M4 exit (Reservoir Road) Nil Chinese translated resources
Blacktown showground Swimming Pools People are accepting Convenient Police harass our people High crime rates Limited parking
Shopping centres Home Leisure Things to buy Stigma and stereotypes Weather Library not open long enough Friday-
Swimming pool entry fee too high
Sunday
Featherdale Park Clubs Hub of activities Food and it’s cheap Drunks Stigma at Blacktown station.
Movies Schools You can sleep People Public places not clean enough Police profiling and targeting African kids
Lack of activities You could get stabbed
Variety of stuff (facilities) Emerton Pool Family pass no longer free in swimming
Food Exposure Blacktown station is messy (dangerous)
Not enough facilities Stigma around living in Blacktown pool
McDonalds Fast food – KFC The feel, atmosphere Socialising opportunities
Stereotypes Differing opinions High youth suicide rates Confusing/misleading parking signs.
Leisure centre Blacktown International Sports Park Not exclusive Fun, many activities
External people’s opinions Crime rate Limited bus services in areas not close to
My house Express Foods – Oscars Good food Entertainment No support to Chinese women groups
CBD
Food festivals Sporting facilities
Multiculturalism Accessible to everyone The attitudes of some people Junkies
Top floor of WestPoint El Jannah Safety especially at night (around station /
Weed/grass control in public places
Represents the diverse nature Different cultural foods Crimes Comparison to high end suburbs WestPoint)
Conversation starter Everyone accepted to be there Wheelie boys Congestion in public transport Leaves/rubbish in public places No places for large concert
Open environment Escape from daily grind No lifts at Doonside station No ramps at Doonside station
Transport Bad name (reputation)
Escape from daily grind Kids area in the library Not enough youth activities. People
Stigma Expensive (property)
Affordable housing Asian culture outside of Blacktown look down upon us.
Crime rate Traffic congestion
Convenient transport Chinese school (Pei Ji)
BBQ areas in public parks Water play area in Blacktown Showground Absence of sound barrier on Too many young kids hanging on the
Hollbeche road being a major road street (nothing to do)
Workers Club for pensioners and Escape reality, you can be whoever you want
Christmas party because everyone has their problems Lack of support for senior citizens Lack of Hindi speaking caregivers
p. 70 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT APPENDIX 1 p. 71

5 What would you like to change in Blacktown city? 6 Did you have any interaction with the Council/Council 7 How often do you use Council facilities (libraries,
Needs better promoting More programs to prepare youth Inadequate facilities for the size of population Centrelink doesn’t help Staff? community centres, swimming pools)?
Target events for adolescents Hard to find work locally Cost of swimming pool entry is quite high Limited sports facilities No interaction ever More available JP services Very rarely Sometimes
Make family friendly parks Gangs Rents getting higher too fast Streets are narrow Weekly basis (library and pools) School use sometimes, not a lot
Difficulty communicating with Council staff Only in relation to Lunar NY and International
Need more trees and water features Parked cars block wheel chair users due to language barrier Mother Language Day (not enough) Swimming pools Once a month
Facilities for older ages Change stereotypes
Public perception of Plumpton swimming pool is Homeless people sitting and sleeping Chinese Community would like more Libraries PCYC
Stigma More Halal food More Chinese speaking staff at Council
very poor between shopping centre and train station communications with Council
More events Expensive Use fairly often but more awareness needed During exam period
Hindi taught as a second language in schools Facelift for the City
Phone interaction only Not much interaction with Council
Things to do Cleaner streets and benches in the parks During good weather, use the pools Good resources for studying
More street lights Trees, too hot to take the kids to park
Yes, Patrick Gleeson, with Youth Ambassador. Once a week Every few months
Reputation with the name More free events for youth Someone we go to school with was the youth
More Chinese newspapers and media in Fix parking issues at Westfield Shopping He’s school Capitan. Positive experience,
ambassador
Blacktown library especially in simplified Centre. Many Chinese businesses are friendly, professional. Every other week Limited use of community centres, e.g. PCYC
Make places more safe Making people feel safer
Chinese affected in the shopping centre The cleaned the bee infestation when I called
Security and lighting Security camera Yes briefly Not too often Don’t know any other Council facilities
them once.
More workshops and classes teaching and More Chinese bilingual workers in Council
A place for the homeless School opportunities sharing Chinese culture and other public services Received an award at Blacktown City Council. Youth ambassador for Blacktown is a
I felt overwhelmed. representative from our school
Increased translated resources in Chinese
Safety Speed cameras Traditional calligraphy and traditional painting
language
Council staff is not helpful and sometimes Council members were respectable at Quirindi
Community engagement Greater diversity More free public parking near arrogant if talking to people with an accent but outside the forum they don’t listen
Cleaner streets and benches in the parks
Seven Hills station
Different food in the food court Change the stigma/stereotype
Not many times have interacted with Council.
More parking and pick up spots at Blacktown Council policies and guidelines in Chinese Know the youth ambassador
Juvenile justice rates Mental health awareness Those that have interacted says they’re good.
station language
More mental health facilities News networks promoting good More education/training to customer service
More advertising for Chinese New Year festival/ Opportunities for youth to be included in the Need more Hindi speaking people on front
staff (they just direct to but never wanted to
celebrations wider community line customer service.
Removing stereotype More event promotions be helpful or assist with enquiries)
More Chinese/Asian restaurants and People swear at us and make racist comments More Hindi books in the Library Reduced entry cost to facilities
A roundabout on M4 exit (Reservoir road) Some people are scary in Mt Druitt Shopping
retailers (especially if wearing a hijab, think we’re
Centre
terrorist)
Congestion in public transport People’s perception of Blacktown
Upgrade Doonside station
Safety issues in late hours Waiting time in healthcare centres

8 What stops you from using them more? 9 Did you receive any support from Council in the last five 10 What might make it easier for you to engage with Mental health services for Filipino women. Nil Council need to do something to help DV
years? (free meeting rooms, hall for community events, Council and their activities and events? services available. victims.
Time, busy with school Time
donations and grants) More events and festivals More Forums like this
Modernise all children’s park/parks What Council can do to increase local
Transportation/location Lazy in general. employment?
No Never Facebook Fun events
Time management Distance/transportation We never get any information in
Never get information on time.
Not really Council paying for trip to Canberra our language
Expensive Frequently used by other More accessibility Greater awareness
Council should engage with
Home, Busy/time management, resources Youth things with the church Food drives Council worker attending events, interacting emerging communities
Stigma/stereotype around the area, what App – section for thoughts and updates
are available at home, not bothered to go, with the public
happens there White Ribbon Day awareness Yes, for the trip to Quirindi. Council paid for it.
cost Forum on Instagram page Targeted Facebook page
Lack of exposure Not knowing where they are Been applying for funding for last 15 years,
Regular meetings/community meetings Advertised in schools
never been successful getting any grants
Interest in friends being there Not really needed
Advertisement Promoting of community forums
Laziness Hygiene
Time convenient for students More days like today
Travel difficulties No licence
Social media campaigns More promotion on events
Own facilities Motivation Awareness of how to contact council
Youth council page
members
There’s no operas/concerts in Blacktown.
Distance
Need a theatre like Riverside Theatre. Social media More public interactions
Info share in community languages More Council supported events
Promoting events on WeChat Info share in community languages
Free child minding for events Affordable transport
User friendly website More diversity in Council events and activities
More involvement of local people More sense of belonging
More education/training to customer service

More community consultations and involving
staff (they just direct to but never want to be
residents in decision making process
helpful or assist with enquiries)
Need to promote Chinese School on Council
Venue for opera/arts/concerts
website/social media

11 In regards to the place (house/unit) you are currently 12 If needed, can you seek help from people outside your 15 Do you think migrants have the same opportunities as Cultural differences such as varying
Many employers may have personal biases
values and attitudes affect our access
living in, do you find it adequate and affordable for own community (i.e. Neighbour, organisation) Australian born residents? to opportunities e.g. Western cultures
or be racist and only employ Caucasian
people or take advantage of our language
you and your family? Why/why not? Filos don’t seek help from non-Filos No, never No. It’s a big STRUGGLE STREET
emphasise eye contact and intimacy in
barriers to pay us less than the legal
No. Still face many barriers comparison to Asian cultures, which can
for migrants minimum wage-only around $12 for high
affect opportunities such as job interviews
Rooty Hill is alright Quakers Hills is pretty good Worried about seeking Doonside is sketchy contact, menial works.
Discrimination at all levels, in all aspects, in Inadequate training/learning opportunities and higher work positions especially politics
Mount Druitt has always been looked down Shalvey is dodgy Hebersham is a friendly neighbourhood all suburbs to newer citizens
Shalvey is pretty good No. Language barriers (assume our English
on, the development isn’t really good
Migrants should have the same There is a stigma that they don’t have the is not good enough despite having higher
Some want to but don’t know where to go. Not really NO especially if you’re BLACK, especially if
The safety and security is sometimes safe opportunities but they don’t same idealistic availabilities qualifications in the field.
Reputation you’re Sudanese.
for our family and friends Applied to Council childcare centres 4 times.
Socio-economic levels also are different Progress in the equality not enough
The Mount Druitt stigma has always been Seven Hills is affordable and has limited 13 Do you or members of your family have access Never successful.
No way. It’s hard to get a car, issues with
negative spaces to arts/ recreational (picnic, gathering) / sports money, becoming an Australian Citizen,
There is indirect discrimination particularly
with job that may not be seen as ideal.
Kings Langley is affordable, safe,
Schofields is quiet, affordable and safe.
(basketball, cricket, soccer) activities or facilities? culture
convenient, transport, shops and schools Need help re: how to apply for a job Cultural difference
Yes, church, netball, family, gatherings,
Yes absolutely
I don’t pay the bills so, liveable, safe, quiet, sport and Netflix Language barrier Lack of information
Good enough could be better.
loud sometimes and there are car accidents.
Close to the sources Mostly easily accessible. Local experience Don’t even get a job interview in my name
Burden on parents/caregivers Was affordable, not any more Playgrounds and Parks RSL, Gym and Clubs Went for many interviews but never got a
Lack of opportunity for local experience
Ever increasing Council rates Not proper safety precautions job
No. Police stops our young people at the
Very hard to get first house in the rental No. No. No. No job for last ten years
market
Mould issues 14 What’s your current commuting time from home to shopping centres and on the streets.
Children safety (balconies too short) Improper street parking your place of work/school? No because they’re from a disadvantaged
No because of education, discrimination. community. They’re seen as outsiders.
Houses should be insulated, solar 1 hour outside of peak hour Between 1-2 hours You have to pay upfront to go to University Their religion or background restricts
panelled and central heating if you’re not an Australia Citizen them from education, financial problems,
From home to Uni-takes about 1 hr 45 mins becoming and Australian citizen.
predominantly due to the buses coming
Peak hour trains are highly packed with NO, often employers reject our resumes
only 1 way once per hour during non-peak Sometimes there are bad connotations
no seats available by the time it is at just because of our surnames without even
hours. After the fees imposed on M4, many associated with the areas we live in
Blacktown. There is no parking spot near the looking at our qualifications.
cars do not want to pay the toll, therefore
station after 6am.
driving on Parramatta road has become
highly congested and inconvenient
Buses are infrequent and sometimes

late by 2 hours

FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANTS Mertang Evans Filipino 2147 Filipino Thelma Danar Filipino 2763 Ilocano Sudhir Lodh Indian Bangla
Post Melody Librado Filipino 2770 Filipino Satish Kumar Fijian 2767 Hindi Krishna Sen Indian Bangla
Name Community First Language
Code
James Likambo South Sudanese 2761 Dinka Elpidio Castalone Filipino 2767 Filipino Usha Singh Fijian 2767 Hindi Avijit Singh Indian Punjabi
Awadia Lamody South Sudanese 2763 Arabic Beatriz Valbosch Filipino 2148 Filipino Salley Ram Fijian 2148 Hindi Aparna Ali Indian Kannada
Patrick Dang South Sudanese 2148 Zande Rovina Toniza Filipino 2767 Filipino Sarwesh Ram Fijian 2148 Hindi Aman Ali Indian Hindi
Julius Clement South Sudanese 2770 Madi Justine Aquinas Filipino 2767 Filipino Roslyn Ali Fijian 2761 Hindi Joglar Singh Indian Hindi
Michael Gelon South Sudanese 2761 Zande Solomon Bonbon Filipino 2770 Filipino Shashi Achariya Fijian 2148 Hindi Tejendar Singh Indian Punjabi
Faustino Aboka South Sudanese 2148 Madi Bes Mafao Filipino 2767 Filipino Anjinita Ram Fijian 2148 Hindi Indu Harikrishna Indian Hindi
Makur Dhuor South Sudanese 2148 Dinka Connie Diaz Filipino 2767 Ilocano Shree Ram Fijian 2768 Hindi Amandeep Singh Nagi Indian Hindi
Esther Kemy South Sudanese 2148 Barr Jules A Sanchez Filipino Filipino/Spanish Nishat Roy Fijian 2768 Hindi Oshin Pandiata Indian 2147 Kashmiri
Abulla Agwa South Sudanese 2767 Amharic Alma Bolnar Filipino 2148 Filo/Tagalog Yash Misra Fijian 2770 Hindi Sangeetha Eswarappa Indian 2767 Tamil
Anizia Inyasio South Sudanese 2770 Madi Canidad Manache Filipino 2770 Ilocano Ram Sanehi Fijian 2148 Hindi Fan Gao Chinese 2767 Mandarin
Herman Awola South Sudanese 2770 Madi Fleur Bonbon Filipino 2770 Ilocano Umesh Narayan Fijian 2148 Hindi Nang Wang Chinese 2148 Mandarin
Paul Onyas South Sudanese 2766 Acholi Amilia Thain Filipino 2148 Tagalog Suneal Sharma Fijian 2148 Hindi Feng Ying Fan Chinese Mandarin
Simon Sojora South Sudanese 2760 Balanda Feliciano Cruz Filipino 2767 Tagalog Roshni Sharma Fijian 2148 Hindi Jingine Pan Chinese Mandarin
Adol Takping South Sudanese 2148 Dinka Jermaine Cruz Filipino 2767 English Ben Bhan Sharma Fijian 2148 Hindi Kaiming Su Chinese Mandarin
Vintona Iasaga South Sudanese 2148 Zande Tess Sayas Filipino 2148 Ilocano Suneel Roy Fijian 2768 Hindi Maggie Wang Chinese 2147 Mandarin
Maryam Miji South Sudanese LKK Maria Brice Filipino 2148 Tagalog Pramodh Chandra Rai Fijian 2768 Hindi Frances Hua Chinese 2148 Mandarin
Mary Mamour South Sudanese Evelyn Aliandro Filipino 2147 Tagalog Suman Narayan Fijian 2148 Hindi Aimee Ma Chinese 2147 Mandarin
Aruc Arving South Sudanese 2760 Dinka Elias Panlilo Filipino 2148 Tagalog Meena Raju Fijian 2148 Hindi Yan Da Chinese 2147 Mandarin
Mading Maniyel South Sudanese 2148 Dinka Meynardo Argana Filipino 2766 Tagalog Lakshman Raju Fijian 2148 Hindi Liping Zhou Chinese 2148 Mandarin
Makuei Madeng Dut South Sudanese 2761 Dinka Jade Cadelina Filipino 2148 English Sasum Prasad Fijian 2148 Hindi Liao Ping Chinese 2148 Mandarin
Rania Ramadan South Sudanese Arabic Nelia Sumcad Filipino 2148 Filipino Rugmini V Indian Tamil Queemie Li Chinese 2148 Cantonese
Thomas Obale (23 yrs) South Sudanese 2760 Acholi Sofia Zahorsky Filipino 2763 Tagalog Dipankar R Choudhury Indian Bangla Rebecca Wang Chinese 2768 Mandarin
Es Dela Cruz Filipino 2148 Filo/Tagalog Maria Singh Ilocano Filipino 2148 Ilocano Sajid Khan Indian Hindi Ynyz Hong Chinese 2768 Mandarin
Teresita Indolos Filipino 2767 Filipino Melita Oconer Filipino 2761 Tagalog Kittu Randhawa Indian 2761 Punjabi Ying Liu Chinese 2148 Mandarin
Gary Oconer Filipino 2761 Tagalog Ajit Shekhar Indian Hindi Anna Sai Chinese 2147 Mandarin

William Chinese 2147 Mandarin Rebecca Watson Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Tyson Irshad Plumpton High School 2761 Harshveer Purewall Glenwood High School 2768
Albert Tong Chinese 2148 Mandarin Leilani Pupualii Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Samoan Nrooj Hussain Plumpton High School 2761 Privthy Mistry Glenwood High School 2768
George Ao Chinese 2148 Mandarin Sina Suvusa Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Kyle Abarabar Plumpton High School 2761 Hazaragi/Fijian/Urdu Cryste Degollacion Mitchell High School 2148
Ziang Shi Chinese 2148 Mandarin Nenase Faulao Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Tongan Ronak Ram Plumpton High School 2761 Fijian Hindi Sosaia Korope Tonga
Cong Feng Chinese 2148 Mandarin Theresa Tagiilima Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Samoan/Spanish Nafeesa Rishad Plumpton High School 2761 Fijian/Hindi/Urdu Elysse Amigo
Honggang Sun Chinese 2148 Mandarin Hannah William Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Cook Island/Maori Nayandiing Awan Doonside High School 2767 Dinka Rikansha Ram
Yan Liu Chinese 2148 Cantonese Mercy Notise Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Samoan Sarah Moananu Doonside High School 2767 Razi Uddin Hindi
Hunter Chinese 2148 Cantonese Amy Wells Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Nadir Abbor Doonside High School 2767 Dari Crizelle Delgado
Amy Chen Chinese 2148 Mandarin Brooke Rafalo-Phillips Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Victor Basa Doonside High School 2767 Tagolog Sovann Callaghan Khmer
Jing Zhu Chinese 2148` Mandarin Alex Thomas Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Samoan Brixoel Pulmano Doonside High School 2767 Tagolog Ranzekke Delgado
Mount Druitt Women’s Circle Machilah Olni Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Tongan Harry Dinh Doonside High School 2767 Candice Reeves
Mi Thun Thin Nuing Myanmar 2770 Burmese Fineaetau Faulao Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Samoan/Filipino Larry Li Doonside High School 2767 Jacob Clarke
Wafa Ghananim Jordan 2770 Arabic Malachi Fretton Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Angelo Elaks Doonside High School 2767 Aiden Hirst
Fasiha Yakub Pakistan 2770 Urdu Ernest Fretton Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Dhanush Prasad Doonside High School 2767 Emily Jack
Arshi Pakistan 2770 Pashto Samuel Keomoughlan Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Rachana Ram Doonside High School 2767 Hindi Avneet Kaur Padda
Firdous Sadaf Pakistan 2770 Urdu Malachi Tareke Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Samoan Yadana Auva Doonside High School 2767 Madeline Rochester
Farhad Jamal Bangladesh 2770 Bangla Edward Toso Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Amisha Kumar Doonside High School 2767 Haoyang Cai Cantonese
Nahid Sultana Bangladesh 2770 Bangla Jack Phillips Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Ariana Arulla Doonside High School 2767 Oliver J Turner
Betul Bala Turkey 2770 Turkish Yee Mon Khin Mitchell High School 2148 Burmese/French Vanishka Singh Doonside High School 2767 Hindi Kathy Htun Burmese
Ansa Begum Pakistan 2770 Urdu Christine Tint Mitchell High School 2148 Burmese Courtney Peters Glenwood High School 2768
Sadia Akhtar Pakistan 2770 Urdu Reegan Sumares Mitchell High School 2148 Africans Alicia Callanan Glenwood High School 2768
Rifat Jahan Bangladesh 2770 Bangla Sarah Dennis Mitchell High School 2148 Mitchell Butta Glenwood High School 2768
Yesim Gulasi Turkey 2770 Turkish Suliat Mayiwala Mitchell High School 2148 Yoruba Maddison Orchard Glenwood High School 2768
Salma Rahan Bangladesh 2770 Bangla Kira Gallardo Mitchell High School 2148 Eshan Singh Glenwood High School 2768
Suresal Apu India 2770 Hindi Danny Makhoul Mitchell High School 2148 Arabic Nathniel Henderson Glenwood High School 2768
Rupinder Kaur India 2770 Hindi Mani Nicolas Plumpton High School 2761 Alexandra Walker Glenwood High School 2768
Jeannette Suvala Chifley College Bidwill 2770 Jack Winters Plumpton High School 2761 Italian Ryan Blacker Glenwood High School 2768

NOTES: NOTES:

MULTICULTURAL
Strategy and Policy
Community Development Unit, Blacktown City Council

a 62 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown, NSW 2148
p 02 9839 6000
e contactus@blacktown.nsw.gov.au
w blacktown.nsw.gov.au

Blacktown - Multicultural Policy Strategy.v1.April21

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Blacktown - Multicultural Policy Strategy.v1.April21

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

2021 MULTICULTURAL

Strategy and Policy

p. 2 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INTRODUCTION p. 3

A BRIE F HISTORY A Brief History

Multicultural Policy Objectives p. 5

p. 6 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT A Brief History p. 7

Owing to ongoing advocacy and undertaken using a right and place-

p. 8 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT A Brief History p. 9

EXECUT IV E SU M M A RY Executive Summary

Filipino Community Consultation As a human rights and future

p. 12 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Executive Summary p. 13

ACKNOWLEDGMENT Blacktown City Council accepts

Acknowledgment of First Peoples p. 15

IN TRODUC TION 1.1 Why a Multicultural Policy?

p. 18 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Introduction p. 19

02 BLACKTOW N C ITY CO U N C IL’S

Blacktown City Council’s Integrated

p. 22 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Integrated Policy Framework p. 23

3. Delivery Program (4 years)

p. 24 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Integrated Policy Framework p. 25

Multicultural Policy Objectives p. 27

p. 28 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Multicultural Policy Objectives p. 29

p. 30 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Multicultural Policy Objectives p. 31

BLACKTOW N C ITY CO U N C I L’S

S OCIAL P ROFIL E Social Profile

outlines the major social issues Blacktown City Council’s 2017-2018

Blacktown City Council’s Social profile p. 33

Blacktown City Council’s p. 35

Blacktown City 2016 2011 Change

Non-English total 138,103 41.0 20.8 111,037 36.9 18.2 +27,066

Not stated 17,903 5.3 6.5 12,965 4.3 5.1 +4,938

Total population 336,930 100.0 100.0 301,072 100.0 100.0 +35,858

Blacktown City Council’s p. 37

In combination these five ancestries

Blacktown City Council’s p. 39

Table 9 – Year of Arrival Table 10 – Overseas Arrivals, 2016

Blacktown City - Total Persons 2016

Year of Arrival in Australia Number Blacktown City % Australia %

2011 to 9 Aug 2016 22,597 16.6 21.5

2006 to 2010 25,534 18.7 16.0

2001 to 2005 18,155 13.3 9.1

1991 to 2000 (10 year period) 27,212 20.0 12.4

1981 to 1990 (10 year period) 19,772 14.5 12.5

1971 to 1980 (10 year period) 8,075 5.9 8.8

1961 to 1970 (10 year period) 7,113 5.2 9.6

Arrived in 1960 or earlier 4,003 2.9 6.7

Not stated 3,824 2.8 3.5

Total 136,285 100.0 100.0

Blacktown City Council’s p. 41

Table 11 – Proficiency in English

Speaks another language, and

Not stated 17,936 5.3 6.4 12,995 4.3 5.0 +4,941

Total population 336,967 100.0 100.0 301,100 100.0 100.0 +35,867

4.2.5 English Language Proficiency Amongst dominant groups, analysis

Blacktown City Council’s p. 43

Blacktown City Council’s p. 45

Blacktown City Council’s p. 47

Table 15 – Religion, 2016 Table 16 – Change in Religion, 2011 - 2016

Blacktown City Council’s p. 49

05 OBJEC TIVE S AND KEY

Objectives and Key Performance Indicators p. 51

5.1 Strategies and Key An Information Bulletin Wall

p. 52 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Objectives and Key Performance Indicators p. 53