Community consultation on Wagga Wagga City Council’s Disability Inclusion Plan

14 June 2018

Members of the community are invited to have their say about the city’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP, 2017-2021) at an engagement forum to be held on Monday 18 June.

Social Planning Coordinator Lisa Saffery said Wagga Wagga City Council is committed to making the community more inclusive and delivering goals identified in the plan which meet the needs and aspirations of the community.

“In the first 12-months of the DIAP, we have successfully completed disability inclusion projects which have had a positive impact on the liveability of the city, and importantly were identified by the community,” she said.

“This forum is an important opportunity for community members to hear what’s been achieved through the DIAP in the first 12 months, give their feedback, and explore and discuss the actions planned for 2018/19.

“We value the community’s input and contribution to improve equity and accessibility for all members of the community.”

Projects completed in 2017/18 include the installation of automatic doors at Museum of the Riverina and Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, the addition of 50 removable seats at the Civic Theatre that will provide choice of seating arrangements and support group bookings along with an accessible lift to the stage and toilet facilities.

Other projects recently completed include a new ramp at Ngurra Youth Hub in Ashmont, an art exhibition by artists living with mental health conditions at the Museum of the Riverina, and improvements to change rooms and mobile stairs installed in the program pool at the Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre.

“The establishment of the Wagga Access Reference Group, with members including the NSW Council for Intellectual Disability and Intereach, along with business sector and general community members, is a big step forward in bringing the voices of people with a broad range of disabilities to the table,” she said.

“Some members of the Access Reference Group and numerous agencies were integral in determining the preferred locations of the 12 additional on-street accessible car parking spaces throughout the CBD, and construction is now underway.

“We’re proud that work is underway on the construction of Livii’s Place – an inclusive playspace accessible for all children and their families and Marveloo – a much needed mobile adult changing facility; both located in the Bolton Park precinct. Earlier this year the Wagga Wagga Local Achievement Awards included an additional category to recognise Diversity and Inclusion and this award was received by Peggy Adamson,” she said.

The community is welcome to attend the Disability Inclusion Engagement Forum on Monday 18 June, 2018 from 2pm to 4pm at Wagga Wagga Art Gallery (wheelchair accessible entrance via Morrow Street).

Community members unable to attend the meeting are invited to contribute their thoughts at www.waggaview.com.au/disability-inclusion-action-plan1.