Toowoomba Regional Council forms multicultural committee to support community

The Toowoomba Regional Council endorsed the creation of the Multicultural Advisory Committee at Tuesday’s ordinary meeting. Here’s what it means for the region:

Councillor James O'Shea will chair the new Multicultural Advisory Committee. Picture: Kate McCormack

Toowoomba’s status as one of the most multicultural centres in Queensland will be represented on a council level, with the endorsement of a new advisory body this week.

The Toowoomba Regional Council endorsed the creation of the Multicultural Advisory Committee at Tuesday’s ordinary meeting.

The body will be chaired by Councillor James O’Shea, whose mother is Filipino.

“We have such an amazing spread of nationalities here in our region and it’s important they all have an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

“The establishment of this advisory committee will help us to do just this, with members of the community invited to be part of the committee.”

Once formed, Mr O’Shea said the committee would be asked for input into the development of a council multicultural action plan.

“The MAP will provide a framework for council to identify issues and priorities for its multicultural communities,” he said.

More than one in 10 residents across the region were born overseas, while 20 per cent had at least one parent born in another country.

The 16-member panel will include councillors Megan O’Hara Sullivan and Carol Taylor.

Anyone looking to join the committee should call 131 872.