People with lived experience of disability are invited to help develop the roadmap for improving accessibility and inclusion in North Sydney as part of Council's Access and Inclusion Committee.
The Access and Inclusion Committee is a key advisory body to the Council, helping to embed accessibility and inclusion across local services and infrastructure. It will play a critical role developing the new Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which will guide how Council removes barriers and promotes inclusion for people with disability in North Sydney from 2026 to 2030.
To ensure diversity of experience and perspectives on the Committee, young people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications for the current recruitment round close Thursday 22 May.
North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker says: "As a member of the Committee, you will have the opportunity to help shape Council policies and projects to better serve community members with disability, drawing on your lived experience. Diverse perspectives are hugely valuable – if you're a young person, or part of a culturally and linguistically diverse group, I strongly encourage you to apply."
Committee member Jaci Armstrong says she is proud to work alongside Councillors and Council staff to ensure the ongoing development across our area is aligned with principles of accessibility and inclusion.
Ms Armstrong says: "This is a time of significant construction – due primarily to the State Government's Transport Orientated Development approach and the associated escalation of development across our area. It's never been more important to ensure that new community facilities, our streets, our footpaths and our residential and commercial developments are delivering best practice on inclusive design and outcomes.
"Renovating and revitalising existing facilities to improve accessibility also needs to be managed in a manner that delivers the best outcomes for all our community."
Developing the next Disability Inclusion Action Plan will be a priority for the Committee over the coming year. This Plan is the guiding document laying out how Council will approach accessibility and inclusion for people with disability from 2026 to 2030, and will build on the actions in the current 2022 to 2026 plan.
The Access and Inclusion Committee was established in 2024 and meets quarterly to review and discuss Council policies and projects, and provide recommendations to the Council.
Since it was established, the Committee has already advised the Council on its strategies for the next ten years, the Crows Nest Transport Oriented Development precinct, outdoor dining policy, sporting facilities and upgrades to Young Street Plaza.
