OVER the next four years, Muswellbrook Shire Council will work towards increased inclusion for those living with a disability.
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At its general meeting on Tuesday night, council endorsed actions outlined in an Integrated Disability Inclusion Plan.
The purpose of the report was to describe the Disability Inclusion Strategies, Plans and Actions of Muswellbrook Shire based on consultation outcomes and requirements of the NSW Disability Inclusion Act 2014.
Muswellbrook Shire Disability Strategies, Plans and Actions 2017-2021 exists to deliver on four key objectives:
- Developing positive community attitudes and behaviours (through partnerships),
- Creating liveable communities (through partnerships),
- Supporting access to meaningful employment (within council) and;
- Improving access to services through better systems and processes (within council).
Council will aim to achieve objectives One and Two through partnerships with residents, other government departments, agencies, and non-government organisations.
Through a strong internal focus on equal employment opportunities, it is hoped objectives Three and Four will also be achieved.
Council’s plan included a community profile of the shire.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics date in 2011, approximately 10 per cent of people older than 15, living in the Muswellbrook Shire, were providing assistance to a person with a disability.
The state average was 11.4 per cent.
The rate of profound disability in the shire was 3.4 per cent – lower than the NSW average of 4.9 per cent.
To increase inclusion, council has set up series of goals.
They are, to continue to improve the affordability, liveability, and amenity of the shire’s communities; to stabilise the tenancy turnover in the shire’s social housing; to build social inclusion and improve the delivery of social services; the retention and expansion of quality and affordable child care services; to facilitate opportunities to expand seniors living; and, to further the process of reconciliation in the shire.
Consultation for the plan included meeting in person with human service providers throughout the shire.
Community feedback on council’s plan is welcome.
For more information about the plan, visit www.muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au
