Tomas Lightbody pushes for Manningham RacismNOTWelcome street signs

A Greens councillor says multicultural members of Manningham don’t feel safe — and ratepayers will now be paying for anti-racism street signs.

Anti-racist street signs will be installed by a council in Melbourne’s east after a push by a Greens councillor to make people from multicultural backgrounds more comfortable.

Manningham councillors unanimously agreed on Tuesday night to spend $6000 of ratepayers money on at least 30 red street signs as part of the Racism Not Welcome campaign, which will be placed near shopping centres and key public facilities.

The council will become the second in Victoria alongside Maribyrnong to take action on the campaign, after it was created by NSW’s Inner West Multicultural Network.

A handful of councils in Greater Sydney have already installed the signs.

Cr Tomas Lightbody moved the motion after he claimed local multicultural leaders felt groups still experienced casual racism in Manningham and occasionally felt unsafe in the area.

He also wanted the council to take action after the campaign was endorsed at the Australian Local Government Assembly in June.

“Even though we are a welcoming city, racism is still here and it occurs frequently with people of other cultures,” Cr Lightbody said.

A number of Sydney councils have installed street signs in support of the Racism Not Welcome campaign, including outside the Leichhardt Town Hall. Picture: Pippa Tunnicliffe/Instagram

“This campaign does more than just saying words, I want there to be something our community can see.

“At a time when Victorians are spending more time than ever in their local neighbourhoods, it’s important that councils do what they can to foster a welcome and inclusive environment.”

Institute of Public Affairs spokeswoman Dr Bella D’Abrera slammed the initiative and described it as “completely unnecessary and anachronistic”.

“Nobody in 21st century welcomes racism … Australia is, at its core an egalitarian country which is accepting of everyone, no matter their race or gender,” she said.

“It’s a complete waste of ratepayers money … they (the council) should stick to their mandate, which is roads, rates and rubbish and stop trying to be woke.”

Ratepayers Victoria president Dean Hurlston said the group felt there was “no place for racism” but money should be instead spent on improving core services.

“Ratepayers and residents want bang for their buck, not grandstanding political ambition of individual councillors,” Mr Hurlston said.

“There’s thousands of other causes that are equally worthy and deserve money, but councils can’t be all things to everyone.”

Along with installing the signs, council officers will also explore other methods and initiatives to tackle racism locally and create a more inclusive society.