Maroochy Shire Council has launched a new Council Language Bank, assisting residents with English as a second language with everyday matters. Situated in the heart of southeast Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, some 20 per cent of Maroochy Shire’s population is made up of people born overseas.
General Manager of Maroochy Services, Lisbet Dean, said while English is most often their primary language, diversity is increasing as the Shire continues to grow.
“With people from 128 different countries of origin, the 2006 census shows that 5,000 Maroochy residents speak another language at home,” she said. “Part of improving access is ensuring that those ratepayers, residents, visitors, business people and students – whose first language is not English – can also efficiently discuss their business with us.”
The Language Bank program is an initiative of Council’s Local Area Multicultural Program (LAMP), in consultation with Customer Service staff. The original idea came from Cairns’ LAMP program in far north Queensland. LAMP is designed as a partnership strategy between the Queensland Government and Councils to create harmonious and cohesive community relations.
The Language Bank is an internal resource that will improve customer service. All Council staff were invited to offer their services as translators when a customer requires assistance.
Maroochy’s Community Development Officer, Gärd Saunders, said the volunteers purely assist everyday inquiries, such as directions to local services or offices.
“Our Officers aim to assist immigrants, and the many thousands of international visitors and students who come to Maroochy with day to day, grass root inquiries,” she said. “Where the inquiry relates to a technical or regulatory matter, Council’s translators will inform the customer of the process that needs to take place and the relevant department they need to talk to. We will then refer the matter to the official translating body – national Translation and Interpretation Services (TIS).”
Maroochy Mayor, Joe Natoli, said the Language Bank program is a great asset to Council and its customer service.
Dusting off his Italian at an official launch in October, the Mayor congratulated and thanked volunteers and staff on their efforts towards improving Council’s services to the public.
Council is currently promoting the program to staff, ensuring it can recruit as many potential translators in as many languages as possible. A number of volunteers have already signed up, offering assistance in Cantonese, Croatian, Dutch, Fijian, French, German, Greek, Italian, Singhalese, Spanish and Pidgin-Papua New Guinea.
For further information contact Gärd Saunders on (07) 5475 5801.
