Hobsons Bay City Council
Disability Advisory Committee (DAC)
Minutes
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
6pm – 8pm
Chairperson: Cr Colleen Gates
Minute Taker: Jo Noesgaard (Coordinator Social Planning and Development)
1. Welcome and Apologies
Present
Cr Colleen Gates
Meagan Kearney
Samantha Fabry
Helen Kowlyk
Katy Skene
Ann Marie Kelly
Michelle Whittingham
Lee Ogden
Gerry Carton
Jo Noesgaard
Maria Cesarello
Ben Hynes
Emina Krijestorac
2. Housing Strategy / New Residential Zones
A presentation was made by Council’s Strategic Planning Department about the
implementation of the New Residential Zones that have been directed by state
government. For Council this will include the development of a number of documents
including the:
 Housing Strategy (aims to increase the diversity of housing particularly in relation to
affordable and accessible dwellings)
 Neighbourhood Character Study
 Activity Centre Strategy
 An updated Municipal Strategic Statement
There are three new zones which are summarised below:
 Residential Growth Zone: allows for higher density in areas with good access to
services and encourages housing diversity
 The General Residential Zone: allows for increased residential development that
respects neighbourhood character while encouraging housing diversity
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The Neighbourhood Residential Zone: identifies areas of predominantly single or
double storey dwellings and seeks to preserve the neighbourhood character by
restricting the type unit development that can occur
In June 2014 the Minister for Planning rezoned all current Residential 1 and Residential 2
land in Hobsons Bay to the General Residential Zone as an interim measure, until Council
have worked through the above mentioned documents.
A number of factors will need to be considered when implementing the new residential
zones including:
 Access to services (including community services, education facilities, public
transport and retail)
 Existing heritage and valued neighbourhood character
 Amenity issues such as proximity to industry and flooding
 Potentially contaminated land
Draft documents are currently being prepared and the Council will seek extensive
community consultation, including further feedback from the DAC, to revise and update
these. Once key mechanism that will be used to consult with the community is an online
interactive website ‘bang the table’. The DAC have requested that they be included in the
test group for this website.
Action: Officers to include the DAC members to the test group for the website consultation
on the new zones.
3. Newport Structure Plan
A presentation was made by Council’s Strategic Planning Department regarding plans to
review the existing Newport Local Structure Plan in preparation for the development of a
new Newport Structure Plan.
A structure plan is a strategic planning document that provides long term vision and
guidance for land use changes, public spaces and buildings including:
 The type and density of housing
 Where housing growth should go
 The type of infrastructure required
 Provision of sustainable economic development
 Protection of the natural environment
An in depth review of previous policy and literature has been undertaken as part of the
development of a new structure plan. This review revealed that the plan needs to have
regard to the following:
 balancing the neighbourhood character, heritage and history with new development
 Access to open spaces, streetscape and planting
 Providing access to transport and a mobility network plan
 Providing economic opportunity
The DAC was consulted on what else this plan needs to consider. Further community
consultation will commence in July 2014, this will include coming back to the DAC for
further comment.
Action: Helen Kowlyk advised that David House would be interested in this project.
Officers will chat further with Helen to see if a consultation can be arranged.
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4. Disability Advisory Committee, Review of the Past 12 Months
The DAC has now been in place for 12 months. Given this it was timely to review and
update the DAC on how actions have been progressing with Council’s Disability Access
and Inclusion Strategy 2013-17 (DAIS).
Each year Council develops an Annual Action Plan for the DAIS. This is based on the
goals and objectives within the DAIS, actions that have been raised at the DAC as well as
other identified community needs. The progress of the Action Plan is presented to Council
annually. In the past 12 months key actions delivered have included:
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Development of Newport Gardens Early Years Centre, inclusive of accessible
features
Newport Youth Library Seniors Centre, draft plans inclusive of accessible features
Draft Universal Design Policy Statement has been developed
Web redevelopment to include recommendations of the accessibility audit
Developed a program of activities and events including a low vision story time at
Williamstown library
Provided accessible communication and disability awareness training for Council
staff
Creation of Access to Places and Spaces Maps
Reviewing Council’s employment processes to ensure they are accessible for
people with disabilities
Developed a flexible waste service to support people with a disability and older
people
Hobsons Bay Play Space Strategy 2013–23, inclusive of people with disability
Developed a respite project for older people with disabilities
Implemented a pilot shopping project with HACC eligible residents with a disability
Provided skill development training to the DAC
Hosted a Western Region Disability Forum
Presented a submission for the Australian Law Reform Commission investigation
on Commonwealth laws and legal frameworks that deny or diminish the equal
recognition of people with disability
Whilst the DAC have been involved in many of these projects it was discussed that the
DAIS Action Plans and the links with the DAC were often unclear. The DAC advised they
that would like to be informed and support the development of the next DAIS Annual
Action Plan 2014-15. The DAC also advised that a lot of these projects are not well
communicated to the public. Council is currently reviewing their communication processes
across the organisation. Communication of actions will also be considered in the
development of the new Action Plan.
Action: Council officers to make a presentation at the next DAC meeting in September on
the DAIS Annual Action Plan 2014-15 and seek feedback from the DAC.
5. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Previous Meeting
 Gender Equity Policy Statement: Officers informed the DAC that Council’s
Gender Equity Policy Statement has been adopted.
 Browse Aloud: Council is currently updating its branding and website. An audit of
Council’s website has occurred and changes will include improvements to
accessibility.
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6. Feedback
 Skill development training for Council advisory committee members: Role of
Local Governments, Monday 24 March 2014: Officers sought feedback on the
skill development training it held for the DAC and the other Council advisory
committee members. The feedback included:
 Overall, those that attended the training found it beneficial. There was good
discussion amongst the participants and was good to meet members from
other advisory committees
 Attendees indicated that it would have been good to get someone from
Council to provide information and processes specific to Hobsons Bay
 The DAC suggested that this could possibly be an annual activity, an
opportunity for new members to attend that have joined committees since
March and for those that missed out on the first one
Action: Officers to explore the possibility of running these sessions on an annual basis
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Regional disability forum, Tuesday 29 April 2014: Officers sought feedback on
the Regional Disability Forum held at the Laverton Community Hub. The feedback
included:
 Overall it was a good day, providing an opportunity to meet and connect with
other DACs
 It was a very busy day, with a lot of presentations. Some would have liked
more opportunities to network with others, including other council officers
 Signage at the Laverton Community Hub needs to be improved
 Next time it would be great if service providers could attend and set up an
‘expo’ for participants to further understand what services are available
The hosting of the next regional disability forum is being tabled at the regional Metro
Access Network Meetings. This feedback, along with other feedback gathered on the day,
will be given to the next hosting council so we can keep building and improving the forums.
7. Updates
 Accessible Foreshore: Officers informed the DAC that an access audit of both
Williamstown and Altona Beaches is about to commence. The results of the audit
will assist with outlining the access barriers of both of these beaches as well as
identifying opportunities to improve access.
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Economic Development: Officers informed the DAC that Council has appointed an
Economic Development Coordinator. Their first task will be to develop an
Economic Development Strategy which will look at the role of Council in working
with and supporting large and small businesses across the municipality.
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Metro Access: David Connolly, who filled a maternity leave position for the Metro
Access Officer, has resigned from Council. Bree Seamer who is currently on
maternity leave will return to this position in mid July 2014.
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8. Other Business
 Increasing Access to Local Businesses:
- The DAC raised concerns about barriers to local businesses, for example a
person with a guide dog being refused into a restaurant.
- The DAC suggested one way of addressing this issue would be by giving a
disability sticker to small businesses who have good access.
- Katy and Cr. Gates will continue to discuss this project and the possibility of
involving the Williamstown Traders Association. This project could also be
picked up within the trader’s education sessions that are held by Council.
- It was also suggested to contact the Victorian Human Rights and Equal
Opportunity Commission about obtaining copies of the facts sheets the
Commission is developing about access for small businesses
Action: Officers to follow up with Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity
Commission to find out when the findings and fact sheets from their project will be
released.
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Melbourne Playground: The DAC noted there is a website that maps out all
accessible playgrounds. This could be helpful for the Access to Places and Spaces
Maps.
Action: Officers to follow this up and pass onto the Sport and Recreation Department.
Will also review this map with the Access to Places and Spaces Maps.
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UCan Cafe Altona North: It was noted that UCan Cafe in Altona North will close at
the end of July 2014. The catering component of the Cafe will be based in
Footscray. All staff will be retained.
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DAC Member Resignation: Meagan Kearney informed the DAC of her resignation
from the committee as a result of going to live in Fiji for two-four years. Meagan
thanked the DAC and Council for having the opportunity of being a member.
Meagan has been a very valuable member of the DAC and will be greatly missed.
We wish her all the best with her new adventures.
9. Next Meeting
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Regular DAC Meeting: Wednesday, 17 September 2014, 6pm.
If you have items you would like to add to the agenda please contact Maria two weeks
before the meeting.
10. Close of Meeting at 8pm.
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