The Yarra Ranges Council endorsed its Disability Action Plan 2025-2029 at the 8 July council meeting, consolidating its approach to accessibility and inclusivity for the next five years.
The new Disability Action Plan was crafted based on two rounds of community feedback given to its draft iteration released in May.
Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) chairman Cr Len Cox said the new plan was heavily informed by the DAC.
“Out of that committee there’s been a lot of information and understanding which has gone into this action plan that we’ve got before us,” Cr Cox said.
The DAC is composed of people with a disability, carers for people with a disability and people who work in the disability care sector, among others.
Developing the 2025-2029 Disability Action Plan cost $10,000 and was funded through the health and wellbeing operational budget.
Cr Cox said the council had come a long way since it first established the DAC in 2013.
“There’s a lot more care now for people with a disability than what there ever was in the past, and I would hope that with this action plan and the disability committee that will continue and grow further.”
The Disability Action Plan aimed to improve access to council information, services and facilities while eliminating barriers preventing inclusion across council as a whole.
To improve access to information, the council will begin disability awareness campaigns and mandatory disability awareness training for staff.
Some key areas highlighted by previous community feedback included more inclusive emergency management, accessible public transport and accessible housing affordability, among others.
The Yarra Ranges has a higher rate of disability at 26 per cent when compared to the rest of Victoria, which sits at 19 per cent.
Yarra Ranges Council mayor Cr Jim Child made a point to acknowledge Cr Cox’s efforts as DAC chairman.
“I just want to give credit to Cr Cox, I just think we owe a vote of confidence and thanks to an excellent chair,” Cr Child said.
Cr Richard Higgins said the document was a “very important thing” which would give people with disabilities the chance to do the things that others take for granted.
Councillors voted to move the motion unanimously.
