By Matthew Sims
Maribyrnong council has approved the release of a draft LGBTQIA+ Strategy and Action Plan for public consultation.
At its meeting on Tuesday, July 19, councillors passed a motion to release the plan for public comment and note that council officers intend to submit the final version of the document for adoption at council’s November meeting.
The document has outlined how council would support improved community participation, inclusion, health and wellbeing, and highlights the importance of working collaboratively with support groups and other LGBTIQA+ organisations to address existing community needs, gaps and limitations.
Cr Bernadette Thomas said the draft strategy and action plan was the result of a “a fairly strong consultation process” with about 14 groups, as well as workshops and discussions with the recently created LGBTQIA+ advisory group.
“We want everyone in our community to feel safe and heard and seen,” she said.
“There’s some research in the strategy which shows that our LGBTQIA+ community has some specific health and wellbeing needs.”
Bulldog Pride committee representative Austin Fabry-Jenkins said they were looking forward to the implementation of the strategy and action plan.
“As a community group that has operated for more than half a decade in Maribyrnong, we’ve had some really excellent collaborations with the Council, particularly on the LGBTIQA+ swim night in 2021,” they said.
“Having said that, we have had difficulties navigating the council in other areas, and we’re hopeful that adopting this strategy will bring consistency to the way Council works with all LGBTIQA+ community groups.
“We’d like to commend Maribyrnong council for undertaking this process, and the council employees who ensured that the action plan was created in genuine collaboration with the LGBTIQA+ community.”
The council has scheduled face-to-face consultation meetings on Thursday, August 2 from 4pm to 6pm at the Footscray library and Thursday, August 4 from 3pm to 5pm at the Braybrook library.
Public consultation closes at 5pm on Sunday, August 21.
Details: www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au/lgbtiqa
