Have Your Say on Council’s Disability Action Plan

Ararat Rural City Council is taking its next major step toward a more accessible community with the release of the Disability Action Plan Discussion Paper following its June 2026 Council Meeting.

Council sought expressions of interest back in December last year to form a Disability Action Plan Working Group, to guide the development of a plan to improve access and inclusion across the municipality.

Developed in alignment with the Disability Act 2006, the process for developing the plan and the accessible engagement process is being shaped by a dedicated Working Group established in January 2026. This group unites Council representatives, industry experts, and residents with lived experience of disability. Broader community listening workshops will also provide pivotal insights to ensure the plan reflects local priorities.

The Discussion Paper has been released on Engage Ararat for community to begin thinking about what Council could do better. Those with lived experience of disability, as well as carers, families and support networks, are encouraged to share their insights to help inform practical actions and meaningful change across Council services, facilities and programs. 

"We are all about creating a community where everyone has a voice. We want to ensure our local decisions genuinely back people with disabilities, their families, and the organisations supporting them," says Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Bob Sanders.

"This is all about listening and partnering with the people who know the realities best, knowing what makes life easier and what needs fixing.”

To access the Discussion Paper, please visit www.engage.ararat.vic.gov.au/disability-action-plan

Council will hold a series of community consultation opportunities, from 24 August – 18 September 2026, with sessions in Ararat and at several townships across the municipality. Schedule details will be released in the coming weeks.