Local Councils Disability Inclusion Action Plan

PEOPLE with disability are enjoying more opportunities for social and economic participation as councils continue to deliver projects and initiatives to create more inclusive and accessible communities.

Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said the 2019-20 Local Councils Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) Progress Report highlights how NSW Government legislation is driving positive change across the state.

“Living with a disability should not be a barrier to living a full and active life. The projects highlighted in this report are great examples of the work being done across NSW to enhance inclusion and accessibility,” Mr Henskens said.

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“All levels of government have a responsibility to improve access in all aspects of society. This report is about providing a snapshot of how our councils are tracking in line with their Disability Inclusion Action Plan.”

Each council has too many points to list, so here are a few highlights on what our local councils are doing:

Ballina Shire Council
• An Access Reference Group meets bi-monthly and provides advice to council on disability access issues.
• Upgraded the Alstonville Aquatic Centre’s amenities block to include compliant accessible change rooms including the provision of an accessible transfer hoist.
• Shared pathway from Ballina CBD to Lennox Head was completed in October 2020.
• Footpath inspections carried out via mobility scooter to identify hazards and access issues.
• Auslan interpreter at council meetings and community consultations as requested.

Byron Shire Council
• Delivered mental health first aid training to 30 council staff members.
• Created a staff working group to support delivery of DIAP actions.
• Partnered with Vision Australia to deliver staff training on Creating Accessible Documents.
• Repaired 77 footpaths and upgraded 22 ramps throughout the shire. Upgraded 14 bus stops under the Bus Stop Accessible Improvement Program accessibility requirements.
• Installed a Hearing Loop in Council Chambers to improve sound quality for people with hearing impairment.

Clarence Valley Council
• Council has an Access Committee that meets once a month.
• Environment, Development & Strategic Planning, Access Committee and Community Development Staff went out to businesses about revitalising the main street scape by ensuring accessibility for all
• The gallery is proactive in presenting and supporting program opportunities for people with disability and the gallery is wheelchair accessible. All our libraries are wheelchair accessible and our programs and events are presented and developed with inclusion and access for all in mind.
• Pippi Beach and Wooli Beach have improved all access areas • MLAK keys given to residents free of charge
• Council is continuing the process of expanding the shared pathway network
• Council will redevelop the main office building in 2020/2021 which will be all accessible for the whole of community. The new design will include a lift.

Kyogle Council
• Included representative imagery of people with disability in Council’s publications.
• Recognised and incorporated disability inclusion requirements as part of Council’s contractor procurement processes through distribution of “The tradies guide to good access”.
• Developed public messages and campaigns highlighting disability inclusion requirements and benefits to the community through the outdoor gym project and pool upgrades.
• In partnership with the Transport Working Group identified options and implemented strategies to improve bus transport services within Kyogle Council area such as putting in new bus shelters in locations identified by the local community.
• Hearing Loop facilities are provided during formal Council Meetings.

Lismore City Council
• Waiving of fees for development applications for accessibility improvements.
• Bi-monthly meetings of the Access and Inclusion Advisory Group to provide advice to Council on disability access and inclusion.
• Continued provision of a hearing loop in the Council Chambers and live-streaming of Council’s ordinary meetings and events. Provision of funding for AUSLAN interpreters for meetings.
• Free hire of an all-terrain beach wheelchair. This wheelchair is available year-round and can be used on all patrolled beaches or suitable walking tracks and can be folded for transportation in any medium-sized vehicle.
• A beachfront entrance and handrail at the Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic Centre for accessibility and an automatic wheelchair hoist. There is also lift access to the SWITCH 24-hour gym and a hoist at the Lismore Memorial Baths.

Richmond Valley Council
• Accessible elements included in playground upgrades
• Continuous accessible paths of travel included in new master planning exercises and continue to increase in regular maintenance of current paths
• Further improvements to council’s website to standardise access
• Council also works with ON-Q which is a not for profit organisation, providing Disability Employment Support to enable people to realise their full potential through meaningful employment, with one candidate achieving permanent employment in 2019/2020.
• Council also continued upgrades of the Stan Payne Oval playground area ($80,000) in Evans Head with a new toilet, footpath network, barbecue and picnic shelters, and a disability access ramp to connect the site with the Evan Head Aquatic Centre carpark. Upgrades were carried out to the Stan Payne Oval playground in Evans Head. The works included approximately 60m of replacement footpath linking the nearby sealed carpark with the playground, three new picnic tables, a bench, barbecue area and a new disability access ramp from the carpark.