Wattle Range Council has held a public forum in Millicent to gain community input for future plans to improve disability access and inclusion.

The forum, which is anticipated to be the first of a series of meetings, reviewed council’s current Disability Access and Inclusion Plan and guide further development of the 2024-2028 plan.

Under the Disability Inclusion Act 2018, all state authorities are required to create and implement their own Disability Access and Inclusion Plans (DAIPs) reporting on them annually and reviewing them every four years.

The Wattle Range Council Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2019-2023 and its associated actions were adopted by the council in 2020.

“It is now time to review council’s achievements over the past three years and where necessary refine, remove, or replace actions ensuring they meet the needs of people living with disability,” council’s development services director Emma Clay said.

“The actions will also need to be realigned with Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 and Inclusive SA Disability Inclusion Plan.”

Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll the insight of members of the community living with disability, their carers, family, and friends was vital.

“Input from people with lived experience is vital in planning future projects, programs and events that are truly inclusive and meet the needs of all residents and visitors including people with disability,” he said.