Agenda of Shoalhaven Access Advisory Committee

Minutes of the Shoalhaven Access Advisory Committee

Meeting Date: Monday, 20 November 2017

Location: Osprey Training Room, Level 1, City Administrative Building, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time: 11.00 am

The following members were present:

Clr Annette Alldrick – Acting Chairperson

Clr Amanda Findley

Clr Patricia White

Mr Arthur Ball

Mr Bill Deaves

Mr Theor Bagou

Ms Annette Pham

Mr Chris Mitchell

Ms Jackie Kay

Mr Greg Coulthart

Others Present:

Melissa Andrews – Community Development Officer

Liliana Hutchinson – Social Infrastructure Planner

Ray Massie – Coast and estuaries Officer

Brad Davis – Manager – Asset Strategy

Apologies / Leave of Absence

An apology was received from Stephen Taylor, Clr Cheyne, Nola Stephens, Mel Gorman, Tom Dimec.

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (Jackie Kay / Annette Pham)

That the Minutes of the Shoalhaven Access Advisory Committee held on Monday 21 August 2017 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Declarations of Interest

Nil

Presentations

SAA17.37 Disability Inclusion Action Plan - Update

HPERM Ref: D17/264470

Melissa Andrews advised that she would email information to the members in relation to this matter.

SAA17.38 National Disability Insurance Scheme - Update by Mel Gorman, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia

HPERM Ref: D17/274265

Note: Mel Gorman was absent from the meeting and was unable to provide an update. This item was not discussed and is to be deferred to the next meeting.

SAA17.39 Accessibility of Beach Tracks for Wheelchair Users

HPERM Ref: D17/275250

Ray Massie – Coast and Estuaries Officer addressed the meeting and made the following comments.

As some of the members may be aware, beach access after significant storms can be damaged. The natural profile for sand is 1 in 3 and the standard for a 1 in 14 grade is wheelchair access.

When Ray started Council there was 320 beach access points and now council has 255. For Council to safely maintain these 255 access points has a budget of $180,000.

Most access points are built with low grade treated pine some built 30 years ago. To improve accessibility council would need to upgrade the bottom 10m of the access and the demands are challenging following storms and floods that change the sand profile.

Narrawallee is a good case, it has 10 beach access points. Theo mentioned the access point off Macleay Street as a viewing point within the policy.

Holiday Haven and Surf Clubs have been supportive with the use of wheelchairs ex Huskisson.

Annette Pham mentioned the beach access on the Gold Coast and that people travel to this area to use the beaches because of the accessibility. Once people are aware of it they will travel to the beach. Council could possibly form a Policy of which beaches to focus on to manage and complete suitable beach access infrastructure.

Brad Davis advised that Council has at Callala Beach Community Centre has compliant paths and has toilets, car parks, picnic tables, BBQ’s and a viewing platform.

Clr Findley suggested that the Committee and Council determine a priority list to focus on, for example Lions Park and Mollymook then have second priorities.

Melissa Andrews advised that she will send to the group a spreadsheet so the members can identify what beaches and facilities are currently being used and will bring the data to the next meeting.

Ray Massie said that he is happy to continue this as a working group to develop a policy or strategy, also could be aligned to Dog Policy or Whale Watching areas or walking tracks to minimise cost implications.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That a spreadsheet be distributed to members and prior to the next meeting the members complete the sheet as requested and return to Melissa Andrews.

CARRIED

SAA17.40 Liliana Hutchinson - Berry District Park

HPERM Ref: D17/340426

Liliana Hutchinson provided a verbal presentation in relation to the Berry District Park and made the following comments

· Council has done a lot of community consultation on this project and Council has identified the opportunity for a lift and change facility at the park.

There are several sporting groups that will be using this park from cricket, football, netball etc. A Berry Community Group has raised funds to contribute to a Nature Play area. Once Council receives a detailed design on the nature play area a review will be requested from the Committee.

Clr Findley noted that the State Government has allocated $700,000 for the whole state for accessible playgrounds.

Reports

SAA17.41 Applications for Membership - Chris Mitchell and Kylie Knight

HPERM Ref: D17/280938

Recommendation

That:

1. Mr Chris Mitchell and Ms Kylie Knight be appointed as community members on the Shoalhaven Access Advisory Committee.

2. Mr Mitchell and Ms Knight be notified of their appointments and be invited to all future meetings.

Recommendation (Gregory Coulthart / Jackie Kay)

That:

1. Mr Chris Mitchell and Ms Kylie Knight be appointed as community members on the Shoalhaven Access Advisory Committee.

2. Mr Mitchell and Ms Knight be notified of their appointments and be invited to all future meetings.

CARRIED

SAA17.42 Action table	HPERM Ref: D17/362896
Melissa Andrews advised that the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan is available on the intranet (internal only) and if any members would be interested in viewing a particular section it can be emailed. It entails 180km of path network over the whole Shoalhaven.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the Committee receive this report for information.
RESOLVED (Bill Deaves / Theo Bagou) That the report regarding Action Table be received for information. CARRIED

SAA17.34 Notification - Development Applications

HPERM Ref: D17/182826

It was noted that the Councillors could let the Committee members know if there are any relevant Development Applications (DA’s) that should be provided to the Committee be considered.

Arthur Ball offered to view the weekly listing that is available on Council’s public website and advise Melissa Andrews and other interested parties of any relevant DA’s.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the report – Notification, Development Applications - be deferred until the next meeting of the Committee on 20 November 2017.

RESOLVED (Bill Deaves / Theo Bagou)

That:

1. The report regarding Notification – Development Applications be received for information.

2. The Committee accepts Arthur Ball’s offer to check the listing of DA’s and advise the Community Development Officer (Melissa Andrews) of items to be considered.

CARRIED

SAA17.35 Lift and Change Facilities

HPERM Ref: D17/373617

Council is conducting a survey of patrons at Nowra Aquatic Park and proposes to conduct the survey from April 2017 to March 2018 to gauge utilisation. Council will consider 2 WC toilets in the future lift and change rooms.

A goal would be to have Adult lift and change facilities in all future major Council owned public buildings.

The Nowra Aquatic Centre will be running a promotional campaign about their services to advertise accessible features and will include the adult change facilities.

It was suggested that Council advertise the adult lift and change facilities especially to local providers of care for persons with disabilities.

Details are available on the national toilet map.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That when Council installs “adult lift and change facility” the room still complies with AS1428 design for access and mobility.

CARRIED

RESOLVED (Jackie Kay / Annette Pham)

That when Council installs “adult lift and change facility” it is to ensure that the room in which it is installed complies with AS1428 design for access and mobility.

CARRIED

GENERAL BUSINESS

Melissa Andrews addressed the meeting and advised the members that if they wish to bring any issue to the attention of Council, the most efficient way to get a more speedy response would be to report it to Council directly or via the Snap, Send, Solve mobile App via email and not wait until the next meeting.

SAA17.43 Additional Item - Ramp Access - Shoalhaven River near the old Sailing Club

Bill Deaves advised that there is a ramp leading onto a pontoon at the river near the former Nowra Sailing Club and that the ramp is too steep.

It was advised that the current ramp and structure is only temporary however there will be a permanent ramp and pontoon in that location in the future.

SAA17.44 Additional Item - Thank you letter to Council - Huskisson Sea Pool

Annette Pham thanked Council for building the steps into the Huskisson Sea Pool and the high standard of work of staff in maintaining the cleanliness of the pool.

RESOLVED (Annette Pham / Bill Deaves)

That a letter be sent to Council thanking the staff for building the steps into the Huskisson Sea Pool and acknowledge how well the pool is being maintained.

CARRIED

SAA17.45 Additional Item - Harry Sawkins Park Maintenance

Theo brought the attention to the following maintenance issues in Harry Sawkins Park.

The Bridge is rotting and requires attention
The tables at the park are too high

Brad Davis advised that there are 32 bench seats in the park and for environmental reasons new infrastructure is placed at ground level
A direction for Council would be to consider regional icon parks which means that Council may need to reduce its assets and consider quality parks not quantity
At the next meeting Brad will provide a priority list of where toilet facilities are to be considered.

SAA17.46 Additional Item - Service NSW - Facilities

Jackie Kay advised that she had sent an email to Council advising that she was unable to access toilet facilities at Service NSW and that customers are being sent to the Spotlight Building.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That a letter be sent to Shelley Hancock advising that there are not accessible facilities at the South Nowra Service NSW Centre and they need to provide this service to the public.

CARRIED

SAA17.47 Additional Item - Toilet Facilities Nowra Mall

Jackie Kay advised that the accessible toilet at Nowra Mall is always locked and that when a patron needs to use it, that the cleaner needs to be located to unlock the toilet.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That a letter be sent to the owners of the Nowra Mall requesting that the accessible toilet facilities remain unlocked for easier access to use the facilities and that it is against regulations to have these toilets locked.

CARRIED

SAA17.48 Additional Item - Development /Compliance Staff

RESOLVED (By consent)

That a staff member from the Development and/or Compliance section of Council be invited to attend all meetings of the Shoalhaven Access Advisory Committee to make comment on any compliance issues that are raised.

CARRIED

SAA17.49 Additional Item - Bollards - Junction and Berry Streets

Greg Coulthart advised that the Bollards near the crossings at Junction and Berry Streets are very close to the access ramp and need to be investigated as to options to improve access.

Brad Davis advised that he is happy to meet Greg onsite to discuss the issue.

SAA17.50 Additional Item - Shoalhaven Transport drop off areas

Brad Davis advised that Shoalhaven Transport is having some problems with dropping off some of its customers to various facilities.

Brad Davis will contact the Committee requesting the members to identify 2 areas/sites and will report it back.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 12.43pm.

Clr Alldrick

DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON

Shoalhaven Access Advisory Committee – Monday 05 March 2018

Page 7

SAA18.4 Adoption of Terms of Reference

HPERM Ref: D18/7699

Group: Finance Corporate & Community Services Group

Section: Recreation Community & Culture

Attachments: 1. Draft Terms of Reference - Inclusion and Access Advisory Group ⇩

Purpose / Summary

To request that the Committee adopt the Terms of Reference and name change as decided upon at the planning session on 15/11/2017.

Recommendation

That the Shoalhaven Access Advisory Committee adopt the changes decided by the group at the Planning Day held on 15/11/2017.

1. Adopt the Terms of Reference as outlined in the attached document.

2. Change the name of the committee to Inclusion and Access Advisory Group.

Options

1. Adopt the recommendation

Implications: This will provide a reference point for governance of the committee to ensure that meetings are effective and that the focus of the committee remains relevant and appropriate and the name of the committee reflects that focus.

2. Do not adopt the recommendation.

Implications: The committee has no guiding document to govern meetings and its relevance and integrity may be compromised.

3. Make other recommendations.

Implications: unknown.

Background

There are no existing Terms of Reference for the Shoalhaven Access Advisory committee.

The Committee met for a planning meeting on November 15, 2017 to draft Terms of Reference, draft a Lift and Change Policy and review the purpose of the Committee. The proposed Terms of Reference are provided in the attached document.

Participants worked in smaller groups to discuss and agree to the purpose of the group. Each group reported the following:

· Offer insight, experience, knowledge and expertise,

· Advise and recommend to Council on policy,

· Accessibility proofing community and public infrastructure,

· Proactive Leadership,

· Understanding legislation and contribute to the Disability Inclusion Access Plan,

· Advocate and lobby – input into submissions,

· Educational/awareness raising,

· Disseminate information,

· Conduit for information and communication,

· Community consultation with people with disability,

· Improve accessibility,

While discussing the purpose of the group, participants agreed that the name of the group also needed to be examined and changed. The agreed name and the purpose of the group are as follows:

Name: Inclusion and Access Advisory Group

Purpose: To inform, educate and advise Shoalhaven City Council, its staff and residents on accessibility and inclusion for the purpose of creating accessible and inclusive community and infrastructure by:

1. Actively engaging with Council on policies,

2. Inputting on submissions and relevant legislation affecting accessibility and inclusion,

3. Being a conduit for information and communication between community and Council,

4. Raising awareness in the Council, with its staff and in the community around inclusion and accessibility issues.

The Lift and Change Policy is being developed and will be reported at a later date.

Community Engagement

An external facilitator conducted the planning meeting and all members of the Committee were invited to engage in the process.

Policy Implications

Provision of Terms of Reference for the Committee will ensure its relevance, effective governance and ensure that it operates in line with Council’s direction.

Shoalhaven Access Advisory Committee – Monday 05 March 2018

Page 13

SAA18.5 Action Table - Shoalhaven Access Advisory Committee

HPERM Ref: D18/63286

Group: Finance Corporate & Community Services Group

Section: Recreation Community & Culture

Purpose / Summary

To update the Committee about the progress on actions from previous committee meetings.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Committee receive this report for information.

Options

1. That the committee receive this report for information

Implications: The committee is informed about progress on actions arising from past business.

2. That the committee does not accept this report for information and makes an alternative recommendation.

Implications: Areas of priority identified by the committee are not addressed in a timely way.

File Number	Added to Action Table	Issue	Actions	Outcome
7481E	September 2016	Car Parking Code and Car Parking Standard	Jenna Tague Team Coordinator – Strategy Planning South still working on Amendment 7 and I will let you know when we are ready for consultation with the Committee.	Staff to provide a summary of the amendment at the meeting – 5 Minutes.
SAA17.14 D17/120270	May 2017	Membership - NSW Ageing Disability and Home Care	Donna Dives will represent Uniting NDIS Illawarra & Shoalhaven Local Area Coordination.	Donna Dives has resigned and will be replaced by Sara Willyan-Payne Team Leader – Illawarra/Shoalhaven Region Local Area Coordination Transition Services on behalf of National Disability Insurance Scheme
SAA17.18 D17/137395	May 2017	Summary of the Federal Government response (March 2017) to the review into the Access to Premises - Building 2010	The issue of adult lift & change facilities has been the subject of discussion for some time. If changes are made to the standard, then it will become mandatory for all new buildings to have adult lift & change facilities installed. This may also be extended to developments for alterations and additions. It would be a great initiative to include these adult & lift change facilities now. A recent development at the cross roads in Vincentia has included these facilities. Current approach is actively discussing at a DAU.	Policy drafted at Planning session on 15/11/17. Council staff reviewing along with the asset strategy for public toilets and propose to adopt the revised public toilet strategy in 2018 which will include Adult Lift and Change strategy.
SAA17.22 D17/149775	May 2017	Changing Place Toilet For Huskisson	Recommendation (By consent) That Council consider Co-funding a Lift and Change Facility for people with disabilities at White Sands Park Huskisson.	To be considered with above strategy. The extension of the white sands public amenities to include Adult Lift & Change has been considered in the revision of the Public Toilet strategy.
SAA17.30 HPERM Ref: D17/263204	August 17	Door Replacement for the Disabled Toilets at the Nowra Aquatic Centre	The Committee was advised that the door is in a walkway and there may not be sufficient room to install a sliding door. Bill Deaves advised that the door is also hard to open and awkward. Jackie Kay also advised that, because the door is inward opening it could be difficult for people using a wheelchair to exit the room. Recommendation That Council replace the door of the disabled toilet at the Nowra Aquatic Centre with an electronic sliding door. RESOLVED (By consent) Jackie Kay, Bill Deaves, Arthur Ball and Gary George (SCC Project Manager) to undertake an inspection of the door of the toilets for people with disabilities at the Nowra Aquatic Centre with a view to improving access.	Work completed.

SAA17.31

HPERM Ref: D17/259854

Aug 17

Review Terms of Reference

Melissa Andrews advised that no formal Terms of Reference exists for the Committee. The Committee agreed that a planning meeting should be scheduled with a view to establishment of a formal Terms of Reference and an external facilitator should be engaged to guide the SAAC through the process. Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority). That Council review and expand the Terms of Reference for the Shoalhaven Access Advisory Committee to reflect the growing awareness and importance of access issues in the Shoalhaven.

Draft terms of reference provided as a report to this meeting.

SAA17.27

HPERM Ref: D17/246947

Aug 17

East Nowra Shopping Centre Accessible parking - Beach Tracks Inaccessibility for wheelchairs - research products for upgrading beach tracks

Actions:

Melissa Andrews advised that she would send to the group a spreadsheet so the members can identify what beaches and facilities are currently being used and will bring the data to the next meeting.

Survey of preferred beach access undertaken.

Results:

Luke and Kim Stojanovic to provide report to the meeting on preferred beach access at Vincentia and put forward a proposal to fundraise.

Ray Massie to attend to provide advice on best locations.

SAA17.49

Nov 2017

Bollards - Junction and Berry Streets

Additional Item - Bollards - Junction and Berry Streets

Greg Coulthart advised that the Bollards near the crossings at Junction and Berry Streets are very close to the access ramp and need to be investigated as to options to improve access.

Brad Davis advised that he is happy to meet Greg onsite to discuss the issue.

Staff and Greg met onsite.

A maintenance request was forwarded to Northern maintenance team.

Issues of cracked pavers and loose bollards will be rectified as part of monthly maintenance.

Issue of the lip on the ramp will be addressed as part of ongoing CDB revitalisation work.