The City of Coffs Harbour has adopted a new Disability Inclusion Action Plan, setting out priorities to improve accessibility and inclusion across the local government area over the next four years.
The Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030 was developed following public consultation, which attracted three formal submissions and 86 survey responses.
Consultation identified several key priorities, including:
- limited opportunities for people with disability to work, volunteer or undertake training in the Coffs Harbour local government area
- a need for greater community and business education to support people with disability, particularly wheelchair users
- improving the accessibility of existing paths
- recognising hidden and non-visible disability, with around 80 per cent of people with disability living with a non-visible disability, such as psychosocial conditions, chronic illness or cognitive impairment
- improving access to public facilities and places, including shops, entertainment venues, beaches, bushland, public toilets, footpaths and pedestrian crossings.
“Working closely with the Disability Inclusion and Access Advisory Committee, this plan has a number of actions which will address these concerns,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.
“Like all NSW Councils, the City is required to develop a Disability Action Inclusion Plan every four years and to report annually on its progress.
“Most people reported feeling welcomed and included but we can be better especially in addressing physical barriers to access and through education initiatives.”
Community feedback also led to several changes between the draft and final plan. These include:
- facilitating disability awareness and inclusion training for identified City staff and volunteers, including training on hidden and non-visible disability
- investigating funding opportunities for inclusive and adapted toys, and additional accessible literacy resources across the City’s three public libraries
- exploring the feasibility of using fragrance-free chemicals and products in City-operated facilities to improve access for people with fragrance sensitivity.
The adopted plan includes four key focus areas, supported by a range of short- and long-term actions.
City Planning and Communities Director Ian Fitzgibbon said the plan’s overarching goal was to create a more liveable Coffs Harbour for everyone.
“The consultation process showed that community attitudes and accessibility are central to creating a more inclusive community,” Fitzgibbon said.
The Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030 is available on the City of Coffs Harbour website.
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