A number of parents and organisations were present including Gunnedah Shire Council, Ooranga Toy Library, Gunnedah GoCo, Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, Gunnedah Conservatorium and Pathfinders. Consultation has been taking place for around four months.

Gunnedah GoCo’s Kate Mackley is part of the consultation team and is also representing GoCo in the Gunnedah Disability Access Working Group which will support the DIAP.

“The level of engagement with the community has been fantastic,” she said.

“We’ve spoken directly to about 120 people.”

“Inclusion and accessibility is an area people are very passionate about, and the level of advocacy and support within the Gunnedah community is astounding,” she said.

“The vision our community has for genuine inclusion is inspiring, and their dedication and commitment will ensure an effective Disability Inclusion Action Plan is developed.”

The community and social planner for council, Deb Hilton, is also council’s nominated staff representative in the working group and it is her role to write the DIAP.

“Councils are required to have a draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan in place by mid to late April for the community to comment on, and they have to be endorsed by mid to late June,” she said.

Ms Hilton said the completed DIAP must then be submitted to the Minister for Local Government. If the plan is accepted, the council is required to provide 12-monthly reports on the ways it has implemented the plan. 

“Every council in NSW has to provide evidence that they’ve worked towards delivering on the plan,” she said.

“It will be linked into council’s Community Strategic Plan - which is under review – and into council’s operational plan.​

“The working group stakeholders will help ensure that the recommendations in the Disability Inclusion Action Plan are followed through on.”

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