New Rainbow Advisory Committee to be established

Published on 07 March 2025

A new City of Whittlesea Rainbow Advisory Committee will soon be established, helping Council better engage with members of the LGBTIQA+ community, providing understanding and awareness of their lived experiences and challenges and support the delivery of inclusive activities and programs across the city.

The new advisory committee, which was formally endorsed at the Council Meeting on Tuesday 18 February, will advocate for the equality and inclusion of LGBTIQA+ people and families in the community and provide advice and recommendations to Council.

The committee will be made up of up to nine community members and a minimum of two representatives from community organisations, agencies or service providers who have a connection with the local LGBTIQA+ community.

The Council also appointed Councillor David Lenberg to the Committee for a one-year term and Councillor Blair Colwell as proxy.  

An expression of interest process will soon be available where people can submit an application to be part of the Rainbow Advisory Committee.

The development of the Rainbow Advisory Committee is a key action of the City of Whittlesea Connected Communities Strategy and follows a petition that was received and tabled at the May 2024 Council Meeting.

Quotes attributable to City of Whittlesea Cr Lenberg

“The establishment of a Rainbow Advisory Committee is an important step forward for our Council, enabling us to work proactively with members of our LGBTIQA+ community to understand any barriers they may face when it comes to fully participating in our community.

“The Rainbow Advisory Committee will provide a conduit between the community, Council and other relevant bodies, sharing information on issues affecting the LGBTIQA+ community and identifying opportunities to promote knowledge and understanding.

“We are committed to ensuring that the City of Whittlesea is a place for all, supporting the participation, interests and wellbeing of all people, regardless of their background and identity.”