Bellingen Shire Council is inviting community members to join the newly established Access and Inclusion Reference Group. This advisory group is being created to provide feedback and advice on access and inclusion, as well as ageing well in our Shire. This group aims to ensure that the voices of older adults, people with disabilities, carers, those with access needs and advocates are heard.
The Reference Group will complement Council’s existing community engagement efforts, providing an additional platform for meaningful consultation on matters important to the community.
Mayor Cr. Steve Allan welcomed the establishment of the group, saying:
"The Access and Inclusion Reference Group is an important step towards creating a more inclusive and accessible community. We want to ensure that everyone—regardless of age or ability— can participate fully in the life in our Shire. This group will play a vital role in helping Council understand the challenges and opportunities our community faces while enabling us to deliver on key actions outlined in the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and Ageing Well Strategy. Together, we can work to make a meaningful difference."
The Reference Group aims to:
The group will operate informally, meeting as needed at accessible venues across the Shire, with ongoing communication via email, phone, and other channels to keep members engaged throughout the year.
Council is seeking a diverse group of members who live or work in the Bellingen Shire and have an interest in promoting inclusion and accessibility. This includes:
Membership is flexible, with no fixed term, and new members can join at any time.
or complete a hard copy application form available at our three Shire libraries, the Dorrigo Support Centre and the Council Administration Building.