New way to guarantee local government services for all

(left to right) Dimitrios Thanos, Mayor of Marrickville, Carmel Tebbutt, Member for Marrickville, Paul Lynch, Minister for Local Government and Stepan Kerkyasharian, CRC Chair

The launch today of a document which allows local government to systematically plan the delivery of services to the whole community has been hailed as a major milestone.

Speaking at the launch of Implementing the Principles of Multiculturalism Locally, A Planning framework for councils the Chair of the Community Relations Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian said: "This publication completes the unfinished circle of planning for services that guarantee the day-to- day needs of a culturally diverse society in New South Wales".

Since 1983 the NSW State Government has been developing the EAPS programme which requires all government agencies to effectively plan and deliver services that are appropriate to and recognise the culturally diverse nature of the New South Wales community.

"The EAPS programme which is administered by the CRC has now reached a very sophisticated level in key government departments and agencies. Now it's time for local government to do the same.

"We all know that migrants and especially refugees, are in need of assistance from their local council, from the day they arrive and settle into accommodation.

"They need this in the form of services which are appropriate, which are made available in the fairest and most equitable manner and are continuous.

"The implementation of the framework makes New South Wales a place where there is consciousness of diversity and routine provision of services that fit the nature of the community.

"It means that from the most basic needs at the street level up to sophisticated medical or legal needs, local government will be working in concert with the now well-established high level services provided by most State Government agencies, tailored correctly to a cultural diverse society.

"The completion of this historic document has been achieved through a unique collaboration between the Community Relations Commission and the Department of Local Government and with valuable input from local government associations and the City Councils of Fairfield and Queanbeyan.

"The launch comes at the conclusion of a lengthy pilot project carried out by Baulkham Hills, Blacktown and Griffith City Councils and the Walgett Shire Council and I acknowledge the hard work they have all put into this project", Mr Kerkyasharian said.

The publication was launched by the NSW Minister for Local Government, Paul Lynch.