DUNGOG News Of The Area spoke with Dungog Shire Cr James Campbell regarding the newly formed Disability Access and Inclusion Committee.
The committee is chaired by Cr Alexandria Carruthers; Cr James Campbell is deputy chair; and they are joined by a selection of parents, people with lived experiences, health professionals and advocates.
The purpose of the committee is to review the action plan currently in place, which was developed from the NSW Government Disability Inclusion Act 2014.
At this stage they plan to meet monthly to explore community priorities, identify gaps, and assess infrastructure needs.
Cr James Campbell spoke of the possibility of a soft fall playground in Coronation Park, more paths within Dungog Shire, and better access, particularly to Martins Creek and Paterson Train Stations.
“We have a really engaged set of committee members,” Cr James Campbell said.
Cr Campbell pointed out that the committee wanted to ensure that everyone had the same level of access across Dungog Shire.
When asked how he thought the recent NDIS changes would affect locals in Dungog Shire, Cr James Campbell identified that it decreased people’s ability to engage on a social level, created isolationism and could lead to further mental health issues.
“One of my biggest disappointments is the misalignment of priorities,” Cr James Campbell told Dungog NOTA.
“In choosing to cut the NDIS by thirty-two billion dollars, while at the same time increasing spending to AUKUS (submarines) by fifty billion dollars,” he said, in reference to a recent decision by the Federal Government.
The committee hopes to have a draft public action plan to put forward to the public early next year.
By Megan WILLIS
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
