The Disability Inclusion Action Plan aims to increase accessibility to facilities and services in Wollongong. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
A plan to make Wollongong more inclusive and improve accessibility for residents and visitors with disability is seeking community input before it is finalised to guide action over the next five years.
Wollongong Council is taking steps to improve the liveability of the city and cater for needs of the community who are building their lives here, with a new plan focused on improving experiences for those with disability.
“From the very start of the planning process, people with lived experience of disability have been at the forefront,” Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said.
“Through every story, reflection and aspiration shared, we gained honest insights into what it means to live in Wollongong with disability. Our community shared what is currently working well in our city, their priorities and where there are opportunities to improve.
“They also shared what the barriers are for accessibility and inclusion, reminding us that they’re not all physical barriers, but are also in attitudes, communication, connection and representation.
“It’s important that the plan reflects the real needs and wants of our community, and through these discussions, we’re pleased to present a plan that can do this.”
The draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2026-2030 has been developed to guide the actions taken by council to make people with disability feel more included and safe and make it easier for them to get around the city, including in public spaces and buildings.
It also will influence how council services, programs and events can be made more inclusive, how it can be made easier for people to share information with council and have a say on things happening around them.
The research-informed plan has four focus areas of creating liveable communities; promoting positive community attitudes and behaviours; supporting access to meaningful employment; and improving access to council’s systems and processes.
Work set to be explored varies from maintaining, building and improving access through the footpath network and into buildings, to exploring recreational spaces, creating employment pathways and building stronger awareness within the community.
It builds on the work already accomplished in the prior two plans, with council having investigated areas of need in the space for more than a decade.
“We have made great progress since our first plan in 2016. There are many changes that are now part of our everyday work, and we have completed projects that have made a positive impact on the liveability of our city,” Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said.
“It shows that this is not a set and forget document. We’re committed in delivering these improvements and initiatives and raising the standard of our services.”
The community is now invited to have their say on the plan to ensure it ticks all the boxes.
Information about the draft plan and an online survey is available on the Our Wollongong website, with residents also able to email, text or call, with details available on the same site.
An online information session via Teams is to be held on Tuesday 28 April at 5:30 pm, with registration necessary, and pop-up sessions will be held in coming weeks at:
- Let’s Talk Dapto at Dapto Ribbonwood Centre – 4 to 6 pm, Thursday 30 April
- Thirroul Community Centre and Library forecourt – 10 am to noon, Friday 1 May
- Cringila Hills Mountain Bike Park – noon to 1:30 pm, Tuesday 5 May
- Crown Street Mall – 9 am to 1 pm, Friday 8 May.
“I’d like to give a sincere thank you to every voice that we heard from. Whether it was at a workshop, information stall, meeting or survey, it makes an impact,” Cr Brown said.
“Let’s continue these conversations. Please have a read over the draft plan and let us know if this is the right roadmap for Wollongong.”
“Supporting the inclusion of people with disability is key to creating an extraordinary Wollongong – but we know we can’t do this alone,” Mr Doyle said.
“We all can contribute to making our city an inclusive place that is built on community and understanding.”
Feedback can be provided until 20 May.
