Borough seeks feedback on access and inclusion

THE Borough of Queenscliffe has put its Draft Access and Inclusion Plan on exhibition until the middle of next month, with the borough outlining its plans to make the municipality more accessible for all.

The draft document, now available for viewing on the borough’s website, has been released for community consultation until August 15, beginning the next stage of the formation of the plan following 18 months of development.

“At the August 2022 Ordinary Meeting, the Borough of Queenscliffe made a decision to establish a Disability Lived Experience Reference Group,” the borough stated.

“The Borough of Queenscliffe Disability Lived Experience Reference Group is a group of people who represent diversity in our community, understand disability through experience, and can advise and guide Council as we update our Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

“An outcome of this group was to review the council’s former Disability Action Plan and to propose a new Access and Inclusion Plan that aims to undertake actions that will improve accessibility within the borough.”

The draft plan’s development has been produced with the assistance of several disability and inclusion policies.

These include Australia’s Disability Strategy (2021-2031), Inclusive Victoria: State Disability Plan (2022-2026), Borough of Queenscliffe Disability Action Plan (2004), Lived Experience Disability Group Priority Actions, Changing Places Grant Funding Guidelines and the Draft Victorian Disability Inclusion Bill.

The Draft Access and Inclusion Plan focuses on short-term objectives, while other long-term goals have been flagged for inclusion in the coming 2025-2029 plan, which is now in development.

The Borough of Queenscliffe encourages its residents to provide feedback.

Residents can email [email protected], phone the borough’s customer service officers on 5258 1377, or visit the council office at 50 Learmonth Street, Queenscliff.

Residents are also welcome to set up a meeting with borough community services co-ordinator Steve Ward by emailing [email protected].