Plan to break barriers

GOLDEN Plains Shire community members are invited to provide feedback on the Draft Disability Action Plan Strategic Framework.

The draft plan aims to create a framework to support people with disabilities and other access challenges to enable them to access all shire services.

It will identify actions Golden Plains Shire staff can take improve the quality of life of residents.

After an initial period of community consultation, the draft plan was endorsed for further feedback at the June ordinary council meeting.

“Through the initial community engagement period in March and April this year, Council heard from more than 156 residents through survey responses, outreach at pop-up events and targeted engagement with community groups,” said Mayor Cr Brett Cunningham. “We also held community workshops in Smythesdale, Bannockburn, and Dereel.”

Cr Cunningham said the plan will break down barriers faced by people with disabilities.

“The community identified having access to supports as their most important priority, recommending more employment and educational opportunities for all abilities across Golden Plains Shire,” he said.

“Physical environment, facilities and public transport were also very important, and these factors were considered essential to people with disabilities being able to work, attend events, be independent and generally participate in everyday life.”

Feedback can be provided until Friday 26 July on the Golden Plains Shire website or hard copies can be collected from customer hubs.

The final plan will be presented for adoption in August.