Cowra Shire Council Advocates For Inclusivity And Accessibility At LGNSW Conference

Advocating for Inclusivity: Cowra Shire Council Mayor Ruth Fagan presented two motions st the LGNSW Annual Congerence to support the lives of Cowra locals.

IN November 2023, the Cowra Shire Council will be at the 2023 Local Government NSW (LGNSW) Annual Conference, where they will be advocating for inclusivity and accessibility.

Out of the three motions that the Cowra Council has presented, two of them seek to better the lives of the locals while promoting the principles of inclusivity and fairness.

In the first motion, it is requested that LGNSW strongly encourage the NSW Government to incorporate the Liveable Housing Design requirements into the National Construction Code 2022.

“These standards are designed to ensure that housing is universally accessible and adaptable, allowing people of all abilities to live comfortably and safely in their homes. If housing is built to this standard then people can age in their own homes comfortably and there would be no need for retro fitting, said Cowra Shire Mayor Ruth Fagan. The NSW Mobility Parking Scheme has also been on Cowra Council’s agenda for some time.

“The second motion urges LGNSW to write to the NSW Government, requesting the removal of the word “disability” from the language used in the published materials associated with the NSW Mobility Parking Scheme. This change aims to promote a more respectful and inclusive environment for individuals who require accessible parking spaces,” said Mayor Fagan.

Mayor Fagan underlined that these resolutions are in line with Cowra’s core values and the community’s continuous commitment, spearheaded by Chair Cr Nikki Kiss and the Access Committee, to fostering an inclusive and valued environment for all people.

Another area of concern for Cowra Shire is addressed in the third proposed motion put forwards by Cr Peter Wright. The motion states: “That LGNSW request the NSW Government work with current and potential recycled materials manufacturer to find an increase capability to process the collected recycling material in regions to ensure councils meet their legislated commitment requirements and are not negatively impacted by the cost of doing this.”

“These motions are not just about the specific changes they propose; they symbolise our dedication to creating a Cowra that is economically sustainable as well as welcoming, accessible, and respectful of all its residents, Mayor Fagan said.

Cowra Shire Council will encourage all NSW Council’s to support the motions at the Conference.