Community committee to advise Council

Community members with disability will advise Council on strategy development, major projects and infrastructure, with a new Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) appointed.

Last year, community members were invited to express interest in joining the committee, whether they were a person with disability, an unpaid carer or represented a local service provider or community organisation.

The new DAC includes some former members and new members. This provides a balance of experience and fresh input to this important advisory committee.

Walling Ward Councillor and DAC Chair, Len Cox OAM, said the DAC had a crucial role to play, and an important voice in Council decisions.

“The DAC is one of our important committees – alongside our Positive Aging Reference Group and our Indigenous Advisory Committee – who help inform the work we do across Yarra Ranges,” he said.

“Our last DAC was involved in many projects that have improved day-to-day life for people with disability – from redesigns of water fountains to be accessible for people in wheelchairs and with limited dexterity, to modifications of chicanes at road crossings along the Warburton Trail to improve safety and to accommodate the wider turning circle of hand cycles, tandem bikes and motorised scooters.

“Some of this work is fixing poor design from the past, which ignored the needs of people with disability, and some of it is pitching ideas, discussing proposals and guiding us on what we can do better in the future.

“This links back to our goal of having an active, engaged and involved community – and it’s crucial that people with disability are heard and represented in Government.

“I’m looking forward to working with our new DAC, hearing their perspectives and representing them in the Council Chamber.”

The Disability Advisory Council meets eight times throughout the year.

The Committee presents an Annual Report to Council containing the Committee’s actions and key achievements over the previous 12 month period and detailing the Committee’s key plans and goals over the upcoming 12 months.

Council also runs Pathways for Carers walks at Mount Evelyn and Healesville –two free monthly walks for carers of people with disability or mental illness, to provide an opportunity to share walks with other carers, connect with nature and learn more about news, services and supports available to carers. For further information, email Amanda at A.May@yarraranges. vic.gov.au.

To find out more about Pathways for Carers, visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/pfc