community access committee minutes 6 february 2015 · point 5 of decision 335/13 from the ordinary...

City of Bunbury 4 Stephen Street

Bunbury WA 6230 Western Australia

Correspondence to: Post Office Box 21

Bunbury WA 6231

Telephone: (08) 9792 7000 ◌ Facsimile: (08) 9792 7184 ◌ TTY: 133 677 ◌ www.bunbury.wa.gov.au

Community Access Committee Minutes 6 February 2015 Committee Terms of Reference The City of Bunbury Community Access Committee exists to guide the Bunbury City Council towards attaining best practice on matters of access. The Community Access Committee is to make recommendations to Council based on the following Terms of Reference: 1. To develop proposals and make recommendations to Council on matters

of access to City of Bunbury buildings, facilities, services and information; 2. To seek funding opportunities that improve access to all areas within the

City of Bunbury; 3. To guide City of Bunbury departments and Councillors on decisions of

best practice on matters of access to City of Bunbury buildings, facilities, services or information;

4. To monitor the implementation of the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan for City of Bunbury buildings, facilities, services and information.

Community Access Committee Minutes

A larger print size is used throughout this document for the benefit of Committee members with visual impairment

Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Community Access Committee held in the Ocean Room of the City of Bunbury Administration Centre, 4 Stephen Street, Bunbury, on Friday 6 February 2015.

Minutes 5 February 2015

Members of the public to note that recommendations made by this Committee are not final and will be subject to adoption (or otherwise) at a future meeting of the Bunbury City Council.

1. Declaration of Opening

The meeting was declared open by the Presiding Member at 1:10pm.

2. Disclaimer Not applicable to this committee.

3. Announcements from the Presiding Member

The Presiding Member Deputy Mayor Brendan Kelly welcomed the Committee to 2015. He introduced Julian Bowron, Manager Community, Arts & Culture as well as members of the public Gillian Fry and Monika Volpi, staff and clients of Visability respectively.

4. Attendances Present:

Committee Members:

Presiding Member Deputy Mayor Brendan Kelly

Councillor Murray Cook

Adam Johnson

Andrew McClean

Anthony Bertone

6 February 2015 Minutes – Community Access Committee meeting ______________________________________________________________________________

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Jenny Wood

Kathryn Hewitt

Peter Sears

Rhonda Alman

Shelley Leech

Thomas Blair

Tracey Slattery

Support Staff:

Manager Community, Arts & Culture

Julian Bowron

Team Leader Community Development

Deanna Sullivan

Community Development Officer - Access

Isabell Evans

Public:

Gillian Fry

Monika Volpi

Rosie Keadwell

4.1 Apologies

Margaret Holden, Stephanie Addison-Brown (Ex-Officio Member). 4.2 Approved Leave of Absence Nil.

5. Declaration of Interest

IMPORTANT: Committee members to complete a “Disclosure of Interest” form for each item on the agenda in which they wish to disclose a financial/proximity/impartiality interest. They should give the form to the Presiding Member before the meeting commences. After the meeting, the form is to be forwarded to the Administration Services Section for inclusion in the Corporate Financial Disclosures Register.

Nil.

6. Public Question Time

Nil.


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7. Confirmation of Minutes

The minutes of the Community Access Committee meeting held on Friday 5 December 2014, are confirmed as a true and accurate record. Moved: Jenny Wood Seconded: Tracey Slattery CARRIED 12 votes “for”/nil votes “against”

8. Presentations

8.1 Petitions

Nil.

8.2 Presentations Nil.

8.3 Deputations

Nil.

9. Method of Dealing with Agenda Business

Actions arisen from previous meetings are discussed in a permanent item in 10.3: Any other General Business.

In the absence of any 10.2: Members Reports, a roundtable update will take place following the discussion of all 10.3: General Business items.

10. Reports

10.1 Officer Reports

10.1.1 Strategic Community Plan Amendments

Applicant/Proponent: Internal Report

Author: Isabell Evans, Community Development Officer - Access


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Executive: Stephanie Addison-Brown, Director Corporate & Community Services

Summary The purpose of this report is for the Community Access Committee to consider introducing an objective relating to the Most Accessible Regional City in Australia (MARCIA) goal into Council’s revised Strategic Community Plan.

Committee Recommendation That Council’s Strategic Community Plan includes the words “the City of Bunbury aims to become the Most Accessible Regional City in Australia by 2020.” Moved: Tracey Slattery Seconded: Tom Blair CARRIED 12 votes “for”/nil votes “against”

Background

At their meeting dated 22 July 2014 the Bunbury City Council resolved unanimously that: 1. Council sets a goal to become the Most Accessible Regional City in

Australia by 2020; 2. Council include this as an objective in the revised Strategic Community

Plan. The City is currently undertaking a desktop review of the Plan including seeking feedback from the community on proposed revised goals and objectives in line with Council’s current priorities. The proposed revised Goal 4: Community and Culture contains four (4) objectives as follows:

1. Increase participation in sport and leisure activities; 2. Promote and celebrate culture, arts and heritage; 3. Improve literacy through the delivery of library services;


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4. Promote access, inclusion and multiculturalism.

Council Policy Compliance

There is no Council policy relating to this report however it does focus on the Strategic Community Plan.

Legislative Compliance

Under the Local Government Act 1995 Western Australian local governments are required to develop a Strategic Community Plan. Officer Comments

Rather than include the Most Accessible Regional City (MARCIA) goal as a specific objective within the body of the Strategic Community Plan, the Community Access Committee recommend that this be included at the beginning of the document, ideally in the ‘About the City of Bunbury’ section.

Analysis of Financial and Budget Implications

There are no financial or budgetary implications impacting from the recommendations of this report.

Community Consultation

This report was presented to the Community Access Committee for

consideration.

Councillor/Officer Consultation

Deputy Mayor Councillor Brendan Kelly and Councillor Murray Cook are aware of this report. 10.1.2 Parks Centre taxi drop-off/pick-up parking bays





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Summary The purpose of this report is for the Community Access Committee to consider making recommendation to the management of the Parks Centre shopping centre to amend the location of drop-off/pick-up taxi parking bays to maximise access.

Committee Recommendation That Council make a recommendation to the management of the Parks Centre shopping centre to amend the location of their drop-off/pick-up taxi parking bays. Moved: Andrew McClean Seconded: Shelley Leech CARRIED 12 votes “for”/nil votes “against”

Background On Monday 5 January 2015 Councillor Murray Cook contacted Director Planning & Development Services Bob Karaszkewych following concerns from a rate payer over the location of drop-off/pick-up taxi parking bays at the Parks Centre shopping centre. The current four (4) taxi bays, located opposite the Bunbury Turf Club and near the Brittain Road roundabout are over 120 metres from the Eastern-most entrance of the shopping centre, presenting difficulty for people with disability in accessing them.


There is no Council policy relating to this report.


There is no legislation relating to this report. Officer Comments


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The Team Leader Parking and Community Development Officer – Access have met to discuss potential solutions and presented the Committee with Attachment A, proposing to upgrade the existing ACROD bay outside the Westernmost entrance to the shopping centre and creating a taxi bay next to it. However the Committee feels given the thoroughfare that is this portion of the car park and the associated difficulties vehicles may encounter in entering and exiting the bay, a taxi bay located outside the Northern entrance would be preferable. It is noted that upon visits to the site by both the Team Leader Parking and Community Development Officer – Access the four existing taxi bays were not in use. As the Parks Centre car park is privately managed permission is sought to make recommendation to the centre owners to collaborate in improving the parking situation. The City currently benefits from a productive working relationship with the management of the Centrepoint shopping centre, particularly in relation to accessible parking, and it is hoped that a similar relationship can be developed with the Parks Centre.


A baseline budget of $20,000 exists to administer and review DAIP (disability access and inclusion plan) within which parking improvements are a priority. Should Parks Centre management be supportive of the changes, a portion of this budget may be utilised to assist them in making the amendments.


A member of the community initially raised this issue with Councillor Murray

Cook. This report was presented to the Community Access Committee for

consideration.


The Team Leader Parking has been consulted in the development of this report.


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Deputy Mayor Councillor Brendan Kelly and Councillor Murray Cook are aware of this report.

10.1.3 Review of Terms of Reference – Community Access Committee




Summary The purpose of this report is for the Community Access Committee to review its terms of reference.

Committee Recommendation That Council adopt the amended terms of reference for the Community Access Committee as presented. Moved: Andrew McClean Seconded: Kathryn Hewitt CARRIED 12 votes “for”/nil votes “against”

Background

Point 5 of Decision 335/13 from the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 26 November 2013 was that each Council Committee commences a review of its terms of reference in March 2015, to enable a complete review of the operations to be completed prior to the next Ordinary Elections.


There is no Council policy relating to this report.


Subdivision 2 of Division 2 of Part 5 of the Local Government Act 1995 deals with committees and their meetings.


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Officer Comments

The current terms of reference for the Community Access Committee and suggested amendments are as follows: The City of Bunbury Community Access Committee exists to guide the Bunbury City Council towards attaining best practice on matters of access [add “and inclusion”]. The Community Access Committee is to make recommendations to Council based on the following Terms of Reference: 1. To develop proposals and make recommendations to Council on matters

of access [add “and inclusion relating”] to City of Bunbury buildings, facilities, services and information.

2. To seek funding opportunities that improves access [“and inclusion”] to all areas within the City of Bunbury.

3. To guide City of Bunbury departments and Councillors on decisions of best practice on matters of access [add “and inclusion relating”] to the City of Bunbury buildings, facilities, services or information [add “throughout Bunbury”].

4. To monitor the implementation of the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan for City of Bunbury buildings, facilities, services and information.

Overall the proposed amendments reflect the contemporary focus on inclusion as well as access. The proposed amendment to point three (3) reflects consideration of both Council and privately owned buildings, facilities, services and information.


There are no financial or budgetary implications impacting from the recommendations of this report.


This report is presented to the Community Access Committee for

consideration.


Deputy Mayor Councillor Brendan Kelly and Councillor Murray Cook are aware of this report.


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10.2 Members Reports

Nil; see item 10.3.6.

10.3 Any other General Business

10.3.1 Most Accessible Regional City in Australia (MARCIA) concept – Deputy Mayor Brendan Kelly Deputy Mayor Kelly reported that the MARCIA working group had made contact with the Keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Cities Awards team in an effort to have a MARCIA category introduced. Deputy Mayor Kelly also reported that he has met with the Honourable John Castrilli regarding synergies between MARCIA and Choose Respect Inc. Upon Hon Castrilli’s suggestion Deputy Mayor Kelly made contact with Choose Respect Chairperson Peter Rigden who expressed his support and interest going forward and advised contact be made with Project Officer Sarah-Jane Smith. Action:

Staff to make contact with Choose Respect Project Officer Sarah-Jane Smith.

10.3.2 Visiting academic/special March meeting – Community Development

Officer – Access Isabell Evans Isabell advised that Peter Sproul, Chief Executive Officer of Canadian disability service organisation Community Living Kingston & District is visiting Bunbury in March and a meet and greet opportunity is planned for the Community Access Committee. This is to be held Friday 13 March from 2pm – 3:30pm in the Function Room of the City of Bunbury Administration Centre. Isabell noted that there is opportunity for Peter to present on an issue of the Committee’s interest, and it was decided that a presentation around employment structures and opportunities for people with disability would be appropriate. The Committee questioned whether representatives from disability support organisations would be able to attend. Isabell advised staff will liaise with Peter’s team and advise the Committee accordingly.


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Actions:

Community Access Committee to attend networking meeting with Canadian disability expert on Friday 13 March 2015;

Staff to investigate and advise Committee whether disability support organisations are able to attend also.

10.3.3 Human Resources meeting attendance – Community Development

Officer – Access Isabell Evans

Isabell reported that given current staff vacancies the Human Resources department were unable to attend the meeting to answer the Committee’s queries. However Isabell stated that she and Deanna had planned the agendas for the April and June Committee meetings, the latter which will focus on employment and be appropriate for Human Resources staff attendance then. Action:

Staff to liaise with Human Resources staff regarding attendance at June Committee meeting.

10.3.4 South West Sports Centre toilet upgrades - Community

Development Officer – Access Isabell Evans

Isabell reported that South West Sports Centre management are currently investigating toileting and change room facilities on the pool deck as demand for these facilities is exceeding supply. Specifically, staff are finding that families with young children are inappropriately using the accessible toilet/change room due to its size. Management have approached Isabell with a plan to convert a storage room on the Western side of the pool deck into a new accessible toilet and make the current accessible toilet a family change room. However Isabell expressed concern that the new accessible toilet would be separate from the other toilets on the Eastern side, which is not inclusive. The Committee expressed the same concerns and advised that it is preferable to have all toilets together. To solve the issue, the Committee discussed converting the storage cupboard into an additional on-deck family change room and suggested being creative in the creation of the new room and ensuring the public were assisted in the transition. That is, it was suggested that the new change rooms be colourful and be named changing ‘sheds’


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similar to those at Victorian beaches. The Committee also suggested installing interim signage on all toilet and change room doors outlining the amendments. Finally, it was suggested that additional baby change tables around the pool deck may decrease the need to use separate change room facilities. Action:

Staff to forward Committee comments to South West Sports Centre management.

10.3.5 Big Swamp Precinct Concept Development Plan – Community

Development Officer – Access Isabell Evans

Isabell updated that a consultant is currently developing the Big Swamp Precinct Concept Development Plan. Work to date is high-level and conceptual in nature however once detailed plans have been developed these will be presented to the Committee for comment.

10.3.6 Update of actions from last meeting (see attached minutes) – Community Development Officer Isabell Evans

Action Status

Isabell to forward on the Committee’s considerations on the Big Swamp Precinct Concept Development to the Corporate Marketing Officer for inclusion in the community consultation report.

Completed.

Isabell to ensure Big Swamp Precinct Concept Development Plans are presented to the Committee once in draft form.

Carried forward until plans prepared.

Isabell to investigate pathway maintenance schedule development and

Isabell reported that a smart-phone ‘app’ called Snap Send Solve enables the community to quickly and easily report


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report back to Committee for further discussion.

maintenance issues to Councils. The Australia-wide app is free to download and the issue description and optional photograph is automatically sent to the Council in question. Upon Councillor Cook’s investigation Isabell also reported a similar app under development by the Western Australia Local Government Association. The Committee discussed promotion of thiese resources later in 2015.

Adam to forward email from Landcorp onto Acting Director Community Development Kristina Knight to ensure City staff aware of discussion around access at Marlston North.

Carried forward.

Isabell to invite Manager Special Projects James Shepherd to the next Committee meeting.

Carried forward until Big Swamp Precinct Concept Development Plans presented.

Isabell and Deputy Mayor Kelly to make contact with Police to introduce them to MARCIA.

Carried forward; Deputy Mayor Kelly reported that a draft letter for Bunbury Police is currently in development.

Andrew to forward Isabell details of park where issues with dogs are occurring.

Completed; Andrew reported the issue has been resolved.

Isabell to follow up with Works & Services concerns raised around the Ganfield Street and Hammersley Drive intersection.

Isabell reported that in-house traffic analysis of the intersection had been completed with data demonstrating other intersections within Bunbury a higher priority at this time.

Committee to consider viability and potential structure of a business modification incentive program.

Carried forward.

Isabell to forward broken Completed.


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door handle report to the Works & Services Directorate.

Deputy Mayor Kelly to make contact with the Southern Port Authority to ensure any potential lookout construction is accessible for all.

Councillor Cook advised that he had made contact with Southern Port Authority management to investigate the accessibility of the proposed lookout. Plans for the lookout have been delayed however Councillor Cook recommended the issue be made a watching brief going forward.

Committee to further consider viability and potential structure of a priority parking card for people with vision impairment who legislatively do not qualify for an ACROD parking permit.

Isabell reported that discussions with the Parking Department around creating a Bunbury-specific priority access parking permit had been successful with support for a permit allowing extended parking times at a lesser cost throughout Bunbury for those with access difficulties. Isabell also reported that the Parking Department are interested in working with the Committee to raise awareness of ACROD parking in an effort to decrease illegal parking, as well as audit car parks for those where illegal parking most commonly takes place. In a discussion on parking issues, the Committee resolved the following: Committee Decision The Community Access Committee resolves to request Council to consider a media campaign to address the issue of parked vehicles obstructing footpaths. Moved: Anthony Bertone Seconded: Shelley Leech CARRIED 12 votes “for”/nil votes “against”


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Actions:

Staff to present Big Swamp Precinct Concept Development Plans to Committee once in draft form;

Adam to forward email from Landcorp onto Acting Director Community Development Kristina Knight to ensure City staff aware of discussion around access at Marlston North;

Staff to invite Manager Special Projects James Shepherd to the next Committee meeting;

Staff and Deputy Mayor Kelly to make contact with Police to introduce them to MARCIA;

Committee to consider viability and potential structure of a business modification incentive program;

Committee to work with Parking Department on accessible parking in 2015.

10.3.7 Member round table update Rhonda Alman – Rhonda reported that she hired the free beach wheelchairs housed at the Bunbury Sailing Club over the Christmas period, however was disappointed that the chairs could only be utilised at the smaller, separate beach adjacent to the Sailing Club rather than at Koombana Bay. Isabell reported that following the construction of the accessible toilet at the Koombana Bay toilet block and kiosk, a new access ramp will be built adjacent to the existing stairs leading from the kiosk area down onto the beach. This is anticipated to be constructed over the next few months, with the next stage of the project investigating alternative locations to house the beach wheelchairs. Andrew McClean – Andrew reported that more motorbike parking is needed at the Parks Centre. Adam Johnson – Adam gave an overview of the refurbished Forrest Avenue/Beach Road/Spencer Street intersection. Adam noted that the intersection is a significant improvement compared to what it was previously and the Engineering Department had done the very best they could given the constraints of the site. Adam had concerns that as there is no dedicated pedestrian crossing phase and only a delay phase safety issues may occur due to vehicles


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not giving way to pedestrians during this phase. However Adam noted that enough time is provided in this phase to safely cross the road. Councillor Murray Cook – Councillor Cook informed the Committee that in March Dr Rodney Tolley, expert in active, sustainable transport, is visiting Bunbury as a guest of the Heart Foundation. On Wednesday 11 March 2015 from 5:15pm – 7:15pm Dr Tolley will be running a workshop titled “Creating an Accessible and Walkable Bunbury – Good for People and Good for Business” in the Bunbury City Council Function Room. The presentation and workshop will reference the Most Accessible Regional City in Australia goal. Should Committee members wish to attend they can RSVP to Jodi Larke on [email protected] by 4 March. Actions:

Staff to inform Committee of Koombana Bay access ramp construction dates;

Committee to attend “Creating an Accessible and Walkable Bunbury” workshop on 11 March and to RSVP to Jodi Larke on [email protected].

11. Applications for Leave of Absence Nil.

12. Motions of Which Previous Notice has been given Nil.

13. Questions from Members

13.1 Response to Previous Questions from Members taken on Notice Nil.

13.2 Questions from Members

Nil.

14. Urgent Business Nil.

mailto:[email protected]



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15. Date of Next Meeting

Friday 10 April 2015; 1pm – 3pm; City of Bunbury Administration Centre, 4 Stephen Street, Bunbury.

16. Close of Meeting

The meeting was closed by the Presiding Member at 2:45pm.

Actions Required after Meeting 1. Minutes of meeting to be sent to Council for noting; 2. Items to be raised for Council following requests/recommendations/motions

by committee; 3. Any other actions required; - City of Bunbury staff to make contact with Choose Respect Project Officer

Sarah-Jane Smith regarding potential MARCIA and Choose Respect synergies; - Community Access Committee to attend networking meeting with Canadian

disability expert on Friday 13 March 2015; - City of Bunbury staff to investigate and advise Committee whether disability

support organisations are able to attend networking meeting on 13 March; - City of Bunbury staff to liaise with Human Resources staff regarding

attendance at June Committee meeting; - City of Bunbury staff to forward Committee comments to South West Sports

Centre management regarding toileting and changing facilities; - Isabell to investigate pathway maintenance schedule development and

report back to Committee for further discussion; - Isabell to forward Committee’s questions to Human Resources department

prior to February 2015 meeting; - Adam to forward email from Landcorp onto Acting Director Community

Development Kristina Knight to ensure City staff aware of discussion around access at Marlston North;

- Isabell to invite Manager Civil and Open Space James Shepherd to the next Committee meeting;

- Isabell and Deputy Mayor Kelly to make contact with Police to introduce them to MARCIA;

- Committee to further consider viability and potential structure of a business modification incentive program;

- City of Bunbury staff to inform Committee of Koombana Bay access ramp construction dates;


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- Committee to attend “Creating an Accessible and Walkable Bunbury” workshop on 11 March and to RSVP to Jodi Larke on [email protected];

- Committee to work with Parking Department on accessible parking in 2015.


community access committee minutes 6 february 2015 · point 5 of decision 335/13 from the ordinary...

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