Meetings will convene quarterly on the second Thursday of March, June, September and December at 9am – 11am from 2025 to 2027.

Meetings are located (unless otherwise stated) at the Toowoomba City Library, Level 3.

Meetings are to be open to the public, except where confidential matters are discussed.

If you wish to attend, RSVP by email by 5pm on Monday before the meeting.

The Committee is exempt from keeping minutes of its meetings pursuant to section 254G of the Local Government Regulation 2012, however, a written report of its deliberations at each of its meetings and its advice or recommendations must be provided to the relevant General Manager, who will list any recommendations for Council’s consideration on an agenda of a meeting of a Council Committee. 

If you would like to contact the Multicultural Advisory Committee, please send an email. 

• Mark Oliver (UniSQ)
• Roberto Garcia
• Hannah Belesky (Mercy Community Services)
• Gitie House OAM (Toowoomba International Multicultural Society)
• Anyuon Liai Mager
• Nestor Kangudia
• Nazreen Yoousuf
• David New (Workforce Australia Local Jobs)
• Sharma Haller
• Taisoo Kim Watson (Women in Harmony; Multicultural Partnership)
• Maud Bagnall
• Kelly Hogan-Buckingham (Multicultural Australia)
• a representative from CatholicCare’s TRAMS – Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Service.

The current term of the Multicultural Advisory Committee will commence in March 2025 end in December 2027.

Background / Scope

The Multicultural Advisory Committee (the Committee) is constituted under section 264 of Local Government Regulation 2012, which empowers the Toowoomba Regional Council to appoint advisory committees.

Tenure of Committee

The Committee is established for the term of the current elected Council, unless disbanded earlier by Council resolution.

Purpose

The Committee will provide Council with guidance and assistance on the functions and responsibilities listed below.

Functions

The functions of the Committee are to:

• assist Council in the development and implementation of Multicultural Strategy and associated plan.
• encourage and support coordination and cooperation within the Region’s multicultural and culturally diverse sector.
• provide assistance/guidance on specific projects or issues as identified by Council.
• assist Council in the dissemination of appropriate materials to aid in the facilitation of community dialogue with our culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
• promote positive images of culturally and linguistically diverse community members in recognition of the contribution our diverse communities make to community life.
• assist Council to organise and contribute to key community events for our culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
• provide recommendations and advice to Council on:

• interests of the culturally and linguistically diverse background communities both established and emerging and the sector that supports them, at a Local (Council and the broader community) State and Federal level.
• best practice access and equity models for settlement and integration for skilled migrants, family reunion, refugees and other visa categories throughout the Council area.
• emerging opportunities and issues relative to the trends and needs of culturally diverse communities in the region.
• the establishment of protocols for working with culturally diverse communities.
• tourism opportunities which will promote the rich history and contribution of our culturally diverse community.

Committee Membership

• The Committee will consist of up to 15 members, which may include up to two (2) Councillors.
• Membership will consist of the following:
• Up to two (2) Councillors representing Toowoomba Regional Council
• Up to 13 Community members
• Where a Councillor cannot attend a meeting of the Committee, another Councillor delegated by the first Councillor may act as a member of the Committee for that meeting.
• Appointment of the representatives to the Committee will be made by the current elected Council.
• Expressions of interest for new Committee members will be advertised regionally (via newspapers, internet and local networks).
• The General Manager, Environment and Community Services, or nominee, will provide appropriate advice and administrative support to assist the Committee to meet its obligations.
• If any member of the Committee is absent from three (3) consecutive meetings without having obtained leave of absence from the Committee, the member's continued membership of that Committee will be referred to the Chief Executive Officer for determination.
• The Committee can take presentations from third parties as required.
• External members will need to register as volunteers.
• When a member from a particular agency cannot attend the meeting, they can nominate another agency person to attend as their proxy or replacement representative with approval from the Committee.
• Contractors, Consultants and employees (current or former) who have been subject to substantiated discipline / grievances with Council shall not be eligible for membership for the Committee.
• Where appointment is made to the Committee as a representative of an organisation (as opposed to an individual), a substitute attendee may attend and participate in all functions of the Committee, on the basis of representing the interests of their organisation.
• All members of the Committee (excluding Councillors) must be a permanent resident and a current or former member of the multicultural sector or supporting sectors. Where possible members should represent the broader Toowoomba Regional Council area to ensure diverse issues, learnings and maximisation of coordinated response strategies.

Resignation and Replacement of Committee Members

(a)     A Committee member may resign at any time by way of written or emailed advice to the Chairperson.

(b)     When a resignation is received, the resigning member may be replaced as follows:

• Where such resignation is a Toowoomba Regional Council representative (Councillor or Officer) the Chief Executive Officer may appoint a suitable replacement representative.
• Where such resignation is from a community/organisational representative, an eligible applicant from the original expression of interest shall be appointed for the remaining term. Where insufficient eligible applicants exist, an EOI process may be undertaken unless the resignation is received less than 12 months from the conclusion of the term of the Committee. If the resignation is in the last 12 months, there is no requirement to appoint a replacement. Appointment from eligible applicants shall be determined by the relevant General Manager.
• Where such resignation is from a particular agency, the nominating agency may at its discretion nominate a replacement representative.

Chairperson

Any Councillor/s appointed to the Committee may act as the Chairperson. If there are two (2) or more Councillors appointed to the Committee, the Councillors will determine who will act as Chair.

Acting Chairperson

If the Chairperson is absent or unavailable to preside, a member of the Committee chosen by the members present at the Committee meeting will preside as the Chairperson.

Quorum

The Quorum for Committee meetings will be a minimum of 51% of the membership.

Times and Places for Meetings

The Committee may determine the dates, times and places for its meetings. As a maximum, meetings shall be held on a quarterly basis.  Council will be responsible for providing a suitable venue.

Meeting Procedures

Unless otherwise provided in these Terms of Reference, the Committee will generally adopt informal meeting procedures. Where more formal procedures are required, the procedures described in Council's Standing Orders shall apply.

Voting

• Each member of the Committee may vote on business before the Committee, except where the member has a conflict of interest.
• Voting at a meeting must be open and issues decided by a majority of the votes of the members present however, if the votes are equal, the Chairperson presiding has a casting vote.
• If a member present fails to vote, the member is taken to have voted in the negative.

Conflict of Interest

(a)     Committee members must declare their conflict of interest to the meeting and must not be present while the matter, or a related matter, is being considered by the Committee or otherwise take part in any decision of the Committee in relation to the matter or a related resolution.

(b)     For the purposes of this clause, a member has a conflict of interest in an issue if they have or could reasonable be taken to have a conflict between their private interest and the public interest in the matter being considered.

Open to the Public

• Meetings are to be open to the public, except where confidential matters are discussed.
• When the Committee proposes to close a meeting to the public, the Chairperson will direct all persons, other than members of the Committee, to leave the meeting and every person must immediately comply with the direction.
• Non-members may, with the permission of the Chairperson, address the Committee on any item of business listed on the agenda however, a non-member cannot vote on any matter at a Committee meeting.
• Any individual attending a Committee meeting (members and non-members) that engages in conduct that is disruptive, aggressive or in contradiction of Council’s Code of Conduct and/or Values and Behaviours shall, at the discretion of the Chairperson, be requested to leave the meeting.

Confidential Matters

(a)     Should matters of a confidential nature be discussed at a meeting, the meeting may be closed to the public in accordance with Local Government Regulation 2012.

(b)     A person who is or has been a member of the Committee must not make improper use of information acquired as a member to -

• gain, directly or indirectly, a financial advantage for the person or someone else;
• harm the local government; or
• release information that the person knows, or should reasonably know, is information that is confidential.

Minutes and Reporting

The Committee is exempt from keeping minutes of its meetings pursuant to section 254G of the Local Government Regulation 2012, however, a written report of its deliberations at each of its meetings and its advice or recommendations must be provided to the relevant General Manager, who will list any recommendations for Council’s consideration on an agenda of a meeting of a Council Committee. 

Review of Terms of Reference

• The Terms of Reference for this Committee may be reviewed by the sitting Committee annually, with the initial review being at its meeting 12 months after the Committee is first established.
• Council may review the Terms of Reference at any time in response to changing legislative requirements or the business needs of Council.

Media Contact

Media statements will only be made by the Chairperson.

Sub-Committees

The Committee has the authority to establish special interest sub-groups and working groups as required to address specific matters identified by the Committee. These sub-groups (established under the same terms and conditions as the Committee) are to report back to the Committee. Appointment to sub-committee/s shall be approved by the relevant General Manager, after receiving the Terms of Reference and membership recommendations from the Committee.

Internal and External Engagement

The Committee requires express written permission from the relevant General Manager or Manager prior to undertaking any internal or external engagement on matters directly relevant to the Committee.

Values, Behaviours and Code of Conduct

All Committee members shall adhere to Council’s Code of Conduct and associated Values and Behaviours. Any behaviour exhibited by a Committee member which contravenes these standards may result in membership being suspended or terminated.

Remuneration

The Council will not generally authorise payment or provide remuneration to members of Committees however, where special circumstances exist, Council may resolve to pay remuneration, reimburse expenses and/or provide facilities to members of the Committee.

Insurance

The Council will ensure that all members of Committees and/or sub-committees as established from time-to-time are covered by appropriate insurances (e.g. voluntary workers, public indemnity).  

Relevant Legislation

Council’s role and obligations are directed, without limitation, by the following laws and regulations, as amended from time to time:

• Local Government Act 2009
• Local Government Regulation 2012

Performance

The Committee shall review its performance at least annually to determine whether it is functioning effectively, by reference to this Terms of Reference and current best practice.

Revision History

Contact Officer

Position: Community Development Officer

Branch: Community Development Facilities and Tourism

Multicultural Advisory Committee Terms of Reference