Disability Inclusion Reference Committee

Meeting Notes

When:Thursday 21 September 2017

Where:Main meeting room, Golden City Support Services (upstairs), 48 Mundy St

Time:2pm to 5pm

1.Welcome

  1. Andrew Barrett, as deputy chairperson for the meeting, welcomed committee members, councillors and City staff. Andrew acted as Chair as Sara McQueenie was unwell and unable to attend the meeting.
  2. Andrew Barrett completed Acknowledgement of Country recognising the traditional land owners of the City of Greater Bendigo, the DjaDja Wurrung and Taungurung people.

2.Who is here and who is not

Chairperson / Andrew Barrett
Who is here / Tristan Coote, Daniel Giles, Vincent Mammoliti, , Juanita Miller, Dr Noela Foreman, Ian Mclean, Ann-Maree Davis, Alison Musk, Teresa Iacono, , Bridget Scilini, Cr Margaret O’Rourke
Who is not / a. Sara McQueenie
b. Brett Martini, Manager of Engineering and Public Space
c. Andy Walker, Manager Building & Property
d. Bruce Duncan, Manager People & Culture, Corporate Performance
e. Cr George Flack,
f. David Williamson, Coordinator Inclusive Communities
City support staff at meeting / Jolie Middleton, Ben Jones, Cara Smith

3.Housekeeping

  1. Andrew explained the location of the toilets and facilities and reminded members afternoon tea would be at 3:30pm.

4.Are there any conflicts of interest?

  1. No members declared a conflict of interest.

5.Review of priority areas and working groups for next 12 Months

  1. Jolie explained the priority areas the committee had been focusing on over the previous 12 months. She encouraged the committee to discuss and decide on priority areas for the coming 12 months.
  2. The Committeediscussedreducing the number of working groups for the next 12 months as well as the possibility of different ways to achieve the outcomes of each priority area without forming a working group.
  3. Mayor Cr O’Rourke informed the Committee of the Safe Cities Forum which is made up of a number of agencies including the police and suggested this would be a way towork towards the goal of a safer Greater Bendigo.
  4. Jolie read a letter from previous member Robert Colbourne who requested the Committee consider employment as a focus area.Mayor Cr O’Rourke informed the Committee that the City is a member of the HR network which provides an opportunity for a DIRC member to advocate for increased employment opportunities to a wide range of organisations in the area.
  5. Mayor Cr O’Rourke informed the Committee of the Regional Transport Forum which Trevor Budge is a member. She suggested there maybe an option for a DIRC member to become involved in this Forum.
  6. The Committee discussed the idea that if the physical environment in Greater Bendigo wasaccessible and if people living in Greater Bendigo were informed about disability then Greater Bendigo would be an inclusive place for people with a disability. The Committee developed and agreed totwo priority areas that reflected this view. The Committee agreed on two working groupsthat will meet outside of Committee meetings and work towards making Greater Bendigo “accessible” and “informed”.
  7. New and existing members weregiven the opportunity to join each group.

The below table outlines what each Priority Area is, who will be a part of each working group and what the strategy is (that means what the committee plans to do) for each priority area.

Priority Area / Members / Strategy
1. / Accessible Greater Bendigo / Andrew Barrett, Ann-Maree Davis, Andrew Smith (Parking) Vincent Mammoliti, Ian Mclean, Tristan Coote & Daniel Giles / Working Group with action plan developed
2. / Informed Greater Bendigo / Tristan Coote, Bridget Scilini, Juanita Miller, Alison Musk / Working Group with action plan developed
  1. Four focus areas were also agreed to. There will not be working groups for the four focus areas; instead the Committee will link in with other activities happening in the broader community that align with the focus areas.
  2. The focus areas will also help prioritise what goes on the Committee meeting agendas for the next 12 months. Meaning that the Committee will focus on discussing issues and opportunities that link with the four focus areas.

The below table outlines what each Focus Area is and what the strategy is (that means what the committee plans to do) for each priority area.

Strategic Focus Area / Strategy
1. / Safety for people with a disability In Bendigo / Mayor Cr O’Rourke already sits on the Safe Cities forum.
To see if Daniel Giles can be invited to sit on Safe Cities Forum.
Andrew Barrett to attend if possible for two DIRC members to be invited.
2. / Employment for people with disabilities / To see if a DIRC member can be invited to attend the HR Network meetings.
Vincent Mammoliti, Andrew Barrett and Ann-Maree Davis to work with Kylie Cheal to support the City to lead the way in employment for people with a disability.
3. / Accessible Transport / Trevor Budget already sits on the Regional Transport Forum.
To see if Daniel Giles can be invited to sit on the Regional Transport Forum.
4. / Supporting Carers / Topics about supporting carers in Greater Bendigo to be included on future DIRC meeting agendas.
5. / Accessible Housing / Ian Mclean already sits on the Active Community Housing Committee.
To see if a DIRC member can be invited to sit on the City’s Social Housing Policy group when developed.
  1. The Committee agreed unanimously that previous DIRC members should be given the opportunity to be involved in the Priority Areas working groups.
  2. Cara informed the Committee that she will be available to attend working group meetings when required, provide assistance to develop action plans and be available to support the working groups, including booking rooms and assisting with arranging meetings.

Action / Action No. / Responsible person
Cara to help organise the first meeting of the working groups and develop action plans for each priority area. / 35 / Cara Smith
To see if Daniel Giles can be invited to sit on Safe Cities Forum. / 36 / Jolie Middleton
To see if a DIRC member can be invited to attend the HR Network meetings. / 37 / Kylie Cheal
To see if Daniel Giles can be invited to sit on the Regional Transport Forum. / 38 / Mayor Cr O’Rourke
To see if a DIRC member can be invited to sit on the City’s Social Housing Policy group when developed. / 39 / Jolie Middleton
Present a list of the City’s Committee’s at the next meeting to discuss opportunities for DIRC members to become involved. / 40 / Cara Smith
Ann-Maree Davis to present information on employment of people with a disability at a future meeting. / 41 / Cara Smith & Ann-Maree Davis
Invite past members to join working groups / 42 / Cara Smith

6.Review Terms of Reference

  1. Jolie discussed the Terms of Reference with the Committee and took feedback on any changes the committee would like to make.Things to be changed include:
  2. An emphasis on age diversity.
  3. To reflect the requirements for a range of disabilities to be represented on the Committee including cognitive disability.
  4. The chairperson will hold a 12 month term, by vote of the Committee and be a person with a disability.
  5. The appointment of a Deputy Chairperson and their role.
  6. Mention of the DIRC Executive Committee and their role.
  7. Mention of priority areas, working groups and their roles.

Action / Action No. / Responsible person
Jolie to amend the terms of reference and present at the next meeting. / 43 / Jolie Middleton

7.Guest Presentation – VicTrack – The Bendigo & Eaglehawk Train Station Upgrade.

Presenters:

VicTrack: Evelyn Yung, Shannon Bakker & Johnathan Pickering

Bendigo Station Contractors: (Arcadis)– ErtanBekir, Michael Synan & Diogenes Ventura

Eaglehawk Station Contractors: (Kinsley Group) – David Zhang

  1. Evelyn explained that VicTrack were in the process of designing and planning a 15.8 million dollar upgrade to the Bendigo Train Station and Eaglehawk Train Station to improve the accessibility at the stations. The upgrades will be undertaken in a three separate stages and the presentation today is on Stage 1.
  2. Evelyn showed a design of the new platform and lifts proposed to be built at Bendigo train station to allow easier access from platform one across to platform two. DIRC members provided feedback on the importance of ensuring the platform is built in the closest possible proximity to the amenities, parking and bus terminals.
  3. Evelyn provided information on the redevelopment of the existing Eaglehawk station explaining that the platform would be extended to 180m and the building and parkingarea to also undergo an upgrade.
  4. The Committee asked questions about this project and provided feedback to express the importance of considering all aspects of accessibility before commencing the first stage of the build.
  5. The Committee sort reassurance that the proposed Platform Bridge at the Bendigo train station would be placed in the most appropriate position to ensure universal design principles are considered.

8.Confirm minutes of previous meeting

  1. Committee members confirmed they had viewed the minutes. The minutes were confirmed as correct by Ian Mclean and seconded by Ann-Maree Davis.

9.Updates on actions from previous meetings

  1. See Attachment 1, the Rolling list of actions table at the end of the notes.

10.Correspondence from Community to DIRC & Information Sharing

  1. International Day ofPeople with Disability Letter:Jolie explained that the DIRC had received a letter from Pam Dawkins who is the Chairperson of the International Day of People with Disability Event Planning Committee. It was agreed the Executive Committee will address her request for a member of the DIRC to be part of the planning committee.
  2. Taxi Association request: Jolie explained the TAXI association has requested an opportunity to speak at the next DIRC meeting or with a DIRC member about the concerns they have about accessible taxis in the Greater Bendigo area. It was agreed the Executive Committee would discuss this request outside of the meeting.
  3. Tristan spoke with the Committee about DIRC members catching up in an informal way between meetings to stay in touch. The Committee agreed this was a good idea and Tristan will arrange the first catch up.

11.Finish of Meeting

Andrew Barrett thanked the committee members and guests for attending the meeting. Meeting closed at 5:00pm.

Rolling list of actions and updates at this meeting:
Action / Action No. / Responsible person / Date listed / Comments / date completed
Ann-Maree to email Leah Sertori to request meeting time to discuss possible new award category for accessibility in businesses. / 14 / Ann-Maree / 19/01/17 / Steven Abbott, Manager Community Partnerships received an email from Leah Sertori saying that Be Bendigo would be happy to work with the City on including a new category of business accessibilityin the Bendigo Business Awards. They will need the award to be sponsored to the value of $6600 inc GST.
The Committee now need to decide how it can obtain these funds.
Action: Invite Leah Sertori to the next meeting to discuss with the Committee.
Amend the terms of reference to allow for a deputy chair to operate within the Committee. / 15 / Jolie Middleton / 19/01/17 / Complete – included as part of review of Terms of Reference.
To reply to the community member seeking more information about the hyperbaric chamber project for the Peter Krenz Leisure Centre, Eaglehawk. / 17 / Jolie Middleton / 23/03/17& 18/05/17 / Contact with Community Member made, waiting on further details.
Cara will follow up on this.
Juanita provided an overview of what a hyperbaric chamber is. Cara to send out information on what is a hyperbaric chamber.
To invite Vline or VicTrack to the next DIRC meeting to talk about ideas for the new train stations. / 19 / Jolie Middleton & PhillDeAraugo / 23/03/17& 18/05/17 / Completed 21/09/17
A letter is sent to the Bendigo hospital from the Committee explaining parking concerns. / 26 / Cr O’Rourke and Committee / 18/05/17 / Mayor Cr O’Rourke had previously left the meeting and was not in attendance to provide an update.
Action: Jolie to follow up with Mayor Cr O’Rourke.
Arrange for DIRC members to visit the new Hospital and give feedback from the DIRC’s perspective.
People to be included: Lyn Hartland, Daniel Giles, Jessica Stone and Ann-Maree Davis. / 32 / Jolie Middleton / 20/07/17 / No Progress
A working group to get together and a set of principles to guide the Building & Property team and others in the City on what are the most important accessibility improvements. Aim to have a response to Stephen Van der Werf 6 weeks from this meeting. / 33 / Jolie Middleton, Cara Smith, Ian McLean, Tristan Coote, Ann Maree Davis. / 20/07/17 / No Progress
DIRC member to be invited to sit on Transport Forum Committee / 34 / Mayor Cr O’Rourke / 20/07/17 / Cr O’Rourke to follow up with Trevor Budge as reflected in action 38.