City places strong emphasis on disability access

The community voted disability access as the number one priority in the City’s 10 Year Capital Works Plan and Council has responded with big plans to improve disability access throughout the City.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said disability access was of high significance for the City and something that featured strongly in the newly adopted budget.

“We are dedicated to making changes in our city that will promote access and inclusion,” he said.

“We listened to what the community wanted and we have allocated funds towards the design and implementation of access solutions.”

The City has consulted with sector representatives to improve existing areas in the CBD and foreshore and also in the planning phases of new developments including the Multi User Facility and event Space and Youth Precinct. The foreshore and CBD precinct will be given continued focus, with better path access to amenities on the foreshore.

“We have worked closely with the designers of the Multi User Facility and Event Space; and the Youth Precinct to ensure that disability access is paramount.

“The City will also be incorporating representatives from the sector on all major planned developments going forward,” Mayor Carpenter said.

“We want both of these facilities to promote inclusion of all people so everyone is able to enjoy a variety of different activities that may not been previously available to them.”

“Wheelchair access to the beach has been highlighted by the community as a real need. As a result this year the City will be refurbishing the existing ablution block behind the Visitor Centre to house a beach wheelchair and hoist and an adult change facility. The fully integrated design will have an uninterrupted access pathway that will enable wheelchair access onto the beach proper,” he added.

Mayor Carpenter also said the City wished to promote and implement best practice in the universal design of projects therefore, City staff involved in designing and delivering infrastructure projects will undertake suitable training.