Lake Macquarie is set to become a more welcoming and liveable city for people living with disability under a new action plan released by the Council.
Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Community Partnerships, Andrew Bryant said the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2021-2025 now on public exhibition outlined a raft of new measures to break down barriers across the community.
They include:
- Increasing the number of accessible cabins at Lake Mac Holiday Parks;
- Training key Council staff in basic sign language and deaf awareness;
- Increasing employment opportunities for people with disability;
- Working with the corporate community to make Lake Mac businesses more inclusive.
Mr Bryant said more than one in 20 people in Lake Macquarie were living with disability.
“These actions will help create a more inclusive City through programming, events and infrastructure improvements,” he said.
“We can all play a part in making it easier for people with disability to live and work in our City, and for visitors who come here to enjoy it.”
Lake Macquarie Mayor, Kay Fraser said the plan aligned with Council’s community values and demonstrated its commitment to making the City more inclusive.
“Inclusive cities are easy to get around, and they provide people with disability opportunities for participation in the diverse social, cultural life of the City and access to meaningful employment opportunities,” Mayor Fraser said.
Council has also given the green light to a plan to help nurture, celebrate and grow Lake Macquarie’s rich culturally diverse community.
“The Culturally Diverse Lake Mac Plan will strengthen social harmony,” Mr Bryant said.
“Welcoming people of all different cultures, backgrounds and abilities shapes the beautiful place in which we live.”
The draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2021-2024 is on public exhibition for comment from 29 June to 27 July.
The Culturally Diverse Lake Mac Plan 2021-2024 was adopted by Council at Monday’s council meeting.
