Help Council continue to build a city that's inclusive

Wollongong City Council media release: 11 July 2025

We want to hear from people with disability, their families and carers about their daily life in Wollongong – and what we can do to make it better.

This information will be used to inform our next Disability Inclusion Action Plan which is our roadmap for providing an equal opportunity for people with disability to participate in all aspects of community life.

“We’ve had Disability Inclusion Action Plans since 2016 and it’s now time to create our next Plan to ensure we’re meeting the needs of our community now, and into the future,’’   Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.

“Hearing a wide range of voices from our community is an essential part of this process. We want to understand the lived experiences of people with disability as they move about suburbs, use Council services and attend our community events.

“We need to understand what’s working well and what people with disability want us to focus and improve on in our city. So, we can put plans in place to ensure the benefits far outweigh the challenges.’’

Since Wollongong City Council adopted its first Disability Inclusion Action Plan in 2016, we’ve focused on delivering a wide range of improvements across the city to create better access and enable participation for people with disability.

For instance, some of things we’ve delivered as part of our 2020-2025 Disability Inclusion Action Plan include:

• Upgraded Hooka Point Footbridge and Jetty and Horsley Pond Jetty.
• Upgraded Bulli Tennis Club (access ramp and handrails) and Ian McLennan Park change rooms and amenities at Kembla Grange.
• Upgraded accessible toilet at Port Kembla Pool to include a 'Changing Places' Accessible Adult Change Facility.
• Installed Communication Boards at several playgrounds and at all libraries.
• Created accessible viewing area at Hill 60 and Port Kembla Beach.
• Upgraded Scarborough Crematorium/ Cemetery.
• Upgraded seating in the IMB and Bruce Gordon Theatre at IPAC.
• Renewed many carparks with accessible car parking spaces. This includes four renewals in the 24/25 financial year.
• Installation and upgrades of many footpaths and associated ramps. This includes 6 new ones and 13 upgrades in the 24/25 financial year.
• Installed an All Ages, All Abilities Playground at Stuart Park and renewed the picnic shelter adjacent to the playground.
• Developed and promoted an Inclusive and Accessible Events Guide and checklist for event holders.
• Purchased a new beach wheelchair suitable for children and young people.
• Upgraded various Council websites to meet Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) level AA standards.
• Improving experiences at our major events such as New Year’s Eve, Australia Day and Culture Mix by having Quiet Spaces, accessible seating areas, Auslan interpreters and social stories.

Plus, we’ve a range of improvement works planned for the next 12 months that includes new accessible cabins within our tourist parks and designs for an adult change facility as part of the draft Botanic Garden Masterplan.

We also want to continue improving our existing services and programs to help people with disability feel safe, welcome and included in our community.

Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said it was a priority for Council to ensure we were meeting the needs of the whole community.

“We know about one in five people in Wollongong have some form of disability. Wollongong City Council aims to be a leader in local government, especially when it comes to promoting and supporting the participation of people with disability in all aspects of city life,” he said.

"This starts with ensuring we hear the voices of people with disability and their families and carers, as we develop our third Disability Inclusion Action plan that’ll guide the work we do over the next four years, from 2026 to 2030.’’

There are a range of ways people can get involved.

You can give feedback in different ways:

• Come to a workshop. To join a workshop, complete the form or call 4227 7111. These are the workshop details:

1. People with disability and their family members, carers and support workers
    Tuesday 22 July, 12pm–2pm, Dapto Ribbonwood Centre
2. People with autism and/or neurodivergence
    Thursday 31 July, 11am–1pm, Corrimal Community Centre
    Quiet room available.
3. People with non-visible disability, or cognitive or intellectual disability
    Thursday 7 August, 12pm–2pm, Wollongong Library
4. Blind or low vision community
    Tuesday 12 August, 12pm–2pm, Wollongong Library
5. d/Deaf or hard of hearing community
    Wednesday 20 August, 12pm–2pm, Wollongong Library
6. People with physical disability
    Wednesday 27 August, 3:30pm–5:30pm, Dapto Ribbonwood Centre
7. Online workshop
    Wednesday 30 July, 5:00pm–6:30pm, via Microsoft Teams
    Includes transcription and optional live captions.

• Visit a pop-up to have a chat:
   Let’s Talk Wollongong – Near North Beach Kiosk, Cliff Rd, Wollongong, Friday 18 July 8am-10am
• Share your stories or fill in a survey online.
• Get a paper survey and reply-paid envelope at your local library.
• Email us at engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au(External link).
• Call us on 4227 7111.

Feedback closes on Monday 15 September 2025 and it’s anticipated a draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan will be shared for community feedback in early 2026.

For more information head to the Our Wollongong website.