Draft Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy
Consultation has concluded
We invited community members to review and make submissions on our draft Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy.
Indigo Shire Council has a legislated requirement and a social responsibility to our communities to remove barriers to inclusion, provide accessible and equitable services and to uphold human rights.
There are groups of people within Indigo Shire communities that do not have the same access to resources, economic or social opportunities as others. This means that policies, programs and services are likely to be experienced differently, and have different outcomes for different groups of people. By addressing these access barriers and designing inclusive services that consider priority groups, Council can apply tailored approaches that have broader benefit to all.
The draft Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy articulates and standardises Council’s approach to ensure all Indigo Shire residents can fully engage, contribute and thrive in our communities. It is a new policy for Indigo Shire Council and demonstrates our commitment to prioritising the delivery of equitable services across our communities.
This policy has been developed with input from the findings of a current council policies review, consideration of 3-tiers of Government legislation and better practice guidelines, and by including oversight and feedback from consultation.
Who did we consult in developing this policy?
Targeted consultation with the following local stakeholder organisations provided oversight and input from relevant local sector experts with lived experience:
- Indigo Community Access Committee
- LINE Wangaratta
- Women’s Health Goulburn North East (WHGNE)
- Beechworth Health Service
- Indigo North Health
- Quercus Beechworth
We also consulted with our internal subject matter experts in the Youth, People & Culture and Governance teams, developed a cross-department internal working group and conducted an all-staff review.
Public Exhibition period
We invited community members to review and make submissions on our draft Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy for 30 days following the June 2024 Council meeting.
What did we hear?
One submission was received during the 30-day public exhibition period.
What happens next?
The policy was adopted by Council at the 27 August 2024 meeting.
