Located in the heart of Western Sydney, Cumberland City Council is home to one of the most culturally diverse communities in Australia. More than half of Cumberland’s residents were born overseas, and almost two-thirds speak a language other than English at home. The local area brings together people from more than 150 countries – and within Council itself, 51 nationalities are represented.
As one of Sydney’s youngest councils, Cumberland City Council is proud of its energy, inclusivity, and fresh approach to local government. Careers at Council recently sat down with Hayley Nakic, Coordinator Human Resources, to learn more about how the organisation is building a workplace that reflects the community it serves – one where diversity, development and belonging are part of everyday life.
Reflecting the community we serve
Cumberland City Council’s workforce closely mirrors the area’s multicultural character. Hayley says this connection between staff and community is something the organisation genuinely values.
“You walk through the halls here and it’s very much reflective of the community you see when you step outside,” she explains. “It’s something we’re really proud of.”
That connection is strengthened by the fact that 38 per cent of Council’s workforce lives locally, fostering a sense of purpose in serving the same community they call home. Staff initiatives like Harmony Day celebrations, Diwali, International Women’s Day, International Men’s Day and various other annual all-staff events help bring the organisation together, celebrating the diversity of its people and strengthening connections across different teams.
Cumberland City Council has recently been awarded with the Disability Confident Recruiter (DCR) status with the Australian Disability Network (ADN), meaning Council has been recognised for creating recruitment and selection processes that are accessible and inclusive for applicants with a disability. “If a candidate requires an alternative method to applying for a position with Council, they can contact us and we will assist them with applying for the position,” Hayley says. “We want people to feel that they are supported from the very start.”
Cumberland City Council’s spirit of inclusiveness extends to the way it embraces new ideas and diverse perspectives. Hayley says that Council’s openness to innovation is part of what makes it such a dynamic place to work. “We’re a relatively ‘young’ organisation, and we’re completely open to new ideas,” she says. “No idea is a silly one – some of our best programs have come from a conversation or from our suggestions or feedback from our staff.”
A culture of growth and opportunity
Cumberland City Council is proud to be recognised as a significant local employer and an organisation that is committed to fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performing culture that reflects our Council’s values, supports our staff, and drives our success in delivering to our community.
Employees have access to a broad range of career development opportunities, including:
- Corporate learning and professional development training
- Mentoring and Development Programs
- An Educational Assistance Program with sponsorship, study leave and financial support
- Traineeship and apprenticeship programs
- Acting opportunities and internal secondments
- Work experience and placement programs
“We’re very big on promoting staff from within the organisation,” Hayley explains. “We have formal mentoring and job-shadowing programs, and opportunities for staff work-experience placements in different units across the organisation.”
There are so many great examples of opportunities for professional development at Cumberland City Council. “A number of our staff have started in entry level positions including traineeships and apprenticeships and have worked their way into more senior positions within Council,” Hayley says. “These kinds of stories really show Council’s commitment to building capacity, enhancing performance, and preparing our employees for future roles within the organisation.”
Cumberland City Council is currently preparing for its next apprentice and trainee intake, opening doors for young people across the community to start their career in Local Government. “It’s great to see people start their careers here and within local government,” Hayley says. “If you’re committed and dedicated, there’s heaps of opportunities at Cumberland City Council.”
Fresh, flexible, and fair
While councils are sometimes seen as traditional or bureaucratic, Hayley says Cumberland City Council breaks that stereotype. Cumberland City Council is fresh in its thinking, flexible in its operations, and fair in its treatment of all employees. Hayley says Cumberland City Council breaks that stereotype. “People are often surprised by how approachable and positive staff are here,” she says. “It’s important that the work gets done and Council delivers on our priorities to the community but it’s okay to have a laugh and enjoy what you do.”
Council’s flexibility policies reinforce that sense of modernity and fairness. “We have flexible work and work-from-home arrangements,” Hayley explains. “But we also acknowledge that not everyone can work from home so based on staff feedback our Executive Team have introduced additional flexibility leave for frontline staff to ensure fairness across the organisation.”
Cumberland City Council has a culture where new ideas are encouraged, work-life balance is supported, and everyone feels respected and valued. The flexibility leave for frontline staff has created equity between office-based and field-based teams. “We want our outdoor staff who maintain our parks and community spaces to feel valued too,” she says. “They use their bodies every day to make this local government area a great place to live, and it’s important to recognise that.”
Shaping a thriving community together
Council’s connection to the Cumberland community extends far beyond its workforce. Last year, Council ran a series of Create Cumberland workshops to help shape its next Community Strategic Plan. Ten sessions were held across the local government area, giving residents an opportunity to share and advise Council of their priorities for the next decade.
“It wasn’t just about roads, rates and rubbish,” Hayley says. “We wanted to hear what our community value, whether it be playgrounds, libraries, or pools. It was about understanding what really matters to our residents.”
The feedback gathered is now guiding a wave of renewal projects, including the redevelopment of Guildford Pool and various upgrades to playgrounds and family spaces. “We’re in a stage of revival for the community,” Hayley adds. “We’re taking older spaces that weren’t being used to their full potential and turning them into places people can really enjoy.”
A place where you’ll find your people
After nearly six (6) years with Cumberland City Council, Hayley says she’s found her place and her people. “If you’ve got the right attitude, you’ll find where you belong,” she says. “We’re one organisation, and that sense of belonging really stands out.”
From its diverse, community-connected workforce to its culture of growth, flexibility and belonging, Cumberland City Council is showing what the future of local government looks like – innovative, inclusive, and proudly people-first.
Are you looking for a workplace that supports your growth and values your ideas?
Explore career opportunities at Cumberland City Council here.
