A recent social impact survey found that participating residents believed it is a good thing for the community to be made up of people from different cultures.

Overall social cohesion has continued to strengthen and improve when compared to previous surveys.

Ipswich City Council and the State Government opened the $1.9 million Redbank Plains Community Centre in May 2018 after two years of community consultation.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said Redbank Plains is experiencing rapid population growth and council is committed to facilitating access to services for Ipswich’s growing population.

“The Redbank Plains community centre is a wonderful meeting point for all to come together and make greater connections across a variety of cultural groups and communities, especially for those new to the area.”

“I would like to thank the State Government and Multicultural Australia for their collaboration, and I look forward to future partnerships to provide for our growing population.”

Council, in partnership with Multicultural Australia, has been conducting a multi-year social impact assessment, to track the impact of the community centre over time.

Multicultural Australia’s Redbank Plains Community Centre development manager Jeril Thomas said we all benefit when everyone feels welcome.

“We are really thrilled to have this feedback from the community,” Mr Thomas said.

“We have volunteers and community members from diverse backgrounds and I observe a beautiful way people getting to know and learn about each other’s cultures organically.

“This is a centre for everyone no matter what their background is."

Take a look at the report on Shape Your Ipswich!