Central Coast Council has formally adopted its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2026–2030, marking the next step in the municipality’s commitment to creating a more accessible, inclusive and welcoming community.
The Plan was endorsed at Council’s meeting on 29 June following an extensive co-design process led by Council’s Disability Access and Inclusion Working Group.
Mayor Cheryl Fuller said the Plan was shaped by a clear principle: nothing about us, without us.
“This is not a plan that has been written for people with disability. It has been developed alongside them,” Mayor Fuller said.
“The Disability Access and Inclusion Working Group has played a critical role in shaping the Plan, bringing firsthand knowledge, practical insights and a genuine understanding of the barriers people can face in everyday life.”
The Disability Access and Inclusion Working Group was established in 2023 and includes people with lived experience of disability, carers, advocates, community representatives and Council staff.
The Group has since helped shape Council projects, policies and public spaces, ensuring accessibility and inclusion are considered from the outset rather than as an afterthought.
Disability Access and Inclusion Working Group member Joanne Barnes said the Plan reflects the voices and experiences of the community.
“The plan shows what’s possible when councils genuinely listen. ‘Nothing about us, without us’ is more than a slogan, it’s a commitment to ensuring the people most affected have a genuine voice in the decisions that shape their lives. Real inclusion comes from working together to create practical changes that everyone can benefit from.”
Mayor Fuller said one of the most important aspects of the project was the commitment to genuine co-design.
“The Working Group challenged us to think differently, to look beyond compliance and to focus on what inclusion actually looks like in people’s daily lives,” she said.
“The result is a practical and achievable plan that reflects local priorities and will help guide Council’s work over the next four years.”
The Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2026–2030 is available to download here.