Everybody is welcome here

WHEN I ran for Council, I did so because I wanted to ensure our community’s most vulnerable people had a voice.

To ensure they had a person in their corner who would champion their causes.

In the short time I have been a Councillor I believe I have done this, advocating on behalf of those who haven’t always felt their needs and interests have been reflected in decisions taken by governments at all levels.

As a representative of the Windermere Ward, which is home to some of Australia’s most disadvantaged people, it is my role and obligation to campaign and fight for properly funded Council owned and operated services, and provide localised community leadership at state and federal levels of government.

I also proudly chair Council’s Inclusion and Care portfolio and the LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee.

Both of these committees have been formed to look after marginalised groups in our region and to give a voice to those who have historically been overlooked, ignored and silenced.

At our May Council meeting, Our Draft Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2024-28 was endorsed for public exhibition.

The plan outlines what actions the City will take to create a region that is more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming, and supports the full participation of people with disability.

There are 54,985 community members with disability in our region, and almost half of 30,115 unpaid carers over the age of 15 have a disability themselves.

The actions listed within the plan aim to improve physical accessibility, foster genuine inclusion and support meaningful participation for people with disability.

But its success will depend on the whole community, from our residents, businesses, community organisations and employees, all working together.

Reducing and removing barriers experienced by people with a disability should be a fundamental objective of all organisations, so we must lead the way in this area.

To view the plan and provide your feedback on it, visit yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/DAIP2024-2028 before 2 July.

At the same meeting Council also voted in favour of developing an LGBTIQA+ Action Plan, which will come to Council for consideration at a later date.

This plan will aim to build on Council’s commitment to creating a more inclusive region by providing a framework and actions that respond to the priorities and experiences of our LGBTIQA+ community.

I want to use this platform to thank the Rainbow Local Government for its request for the City to develop a standalone LGBTIQA+ Action Plan.

Council has been recognised as a leader in LGBTIQA+ inclusion for many years, primarily due to Youth Development work in this space, including the Gender and Sexuality Program (GASP) that began in 1996.

But while that recognition has highlighted past achievements, we know there is much work still to do, and Council is committed to making our region even safer and more welcoming for the LGBTIQA+ community.

For those unfamiliar with our Rainbow Ready Roadmap I would encourage you to go online and read our latest update via Rainbow Ready Roadmap – City of Greater Geelong (geelongaustralia.com.au).

These actions are small steps but important ones to ensuring everybody in our region, regardless of age, sex, religion, or physical capabilities, is safe and welcome in our city.

Cr Sarah Hathway

Windermere Ward, City of Greater Geelong