Input: New multiculturalism advisory council members Gary Thompson, Michael Martinez and Eddy Kontelj.
By John Van Klaveren
GEELONG’S economy is poised to thrive on immigration, according to a councillor.
Eddy Kontelj said the city had an opportunity for a post-war-type boom with the right understanding of its immigrants’ potential.
The Barwon south-west region had the state’s highest proportion of residents from non-English-speaking countries, he said.
Cr Kontelj believed their economic potential was underestimated.
“We need to ask how can we benefit from immigrants and open up more areas of prosperity,” he said.
“I can see new businesses being established in the region as immigrants become economic contributors. Looking back we can see that post-war immigration was only a success story.
“This is just the next chapter, although I believe we are better positioned to understand it and embrace it these days.”
Cr Kontelj was this month named as one of five local appointments to a new regional advisory council on multiculturalism.
“This is an opportunity to have input into policy and the way government manages multiculturalism in the future,” Cr Kontelj said.
“The landscape changed a lot in the last five to 10 years with new and emerging Asian and African nationalities arriving here.”
Cr Kontelj said the committee would advise state government on funding gaps and priorities.
