Disability Inclusion Reference Committee

Meeting Notes

When: Thursday 18 May 2017

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

Time: 2pm to 5pm

1. Welcome

a. Sara McQueenie, as acting chairperson for the meeting, welcomed committee members, carers and City staff.

b. Sara McQueenie completed an Acknowledgement of Country recognising the traditional land owners of the City of Greater Bendigo, the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung people.

2. Who is here and who is not

Chairperson Sara McQueenieWho is here Sara McQueenie, Cr George Flack, Dr Michael Langdon, Andrew

Smith – Transportation Engineer, Ann-Maree Davis, Bruce Duncan – Manager People and Performance, Ian McLean, Andrew Barrett, Lyn Hartland, Robert Colbourne, Cr Margaret O’Rourke, Tristan Coote, Andy Walker – Manager Building and Property.

Who is not a. Daniel Giles, Jessica Stone & Helen Reimersb. Brett Martini, Manager of Engineering and Public Space, was

not able to attend the meeting. Andrew Smith attended in his place.

c. Trevor Budge – Manager StrategyCity support staff at meeting

Jolie Middleton, Cara Smith & Ben Jones

3. Housekeeping

a. The Chair reminded members afternoon tea would be at 3:30.

4. Are there any conflicts of interest?

a. No members declared a conflict of interest.

5. Member Vacancy: Introduce new member – Ian Mclean

a. The Chair introduced Ian McLean the CEO of Golden City Support Services as a new member due to Jane Worsley-Allott’s resignation. Ian spoke on his background and position with Golden City Support Services.

b. The Chair informed the committee that Margaret Harvey has submitted her resignation from the Committee. Margaret’s term was 1 year; therefore this positon will be filled when recruitment occurs for all 1 year term positions in June.

6. Work of the committee

Subcommittee Reports:

a. Accessible Parking (Andrew Barrett, Ann-Maree Davis and Andrew Smith)

i. It was advised that since the previous DIRC meeting the subcommittee has met once. They are looking at formulating a survey to gather feedback on accessible parking spaces from the community.

ii. It was discussed that care should be taken in the language of the questions in order to get the most detailed response from those who complete the survey.

iii. It was mentioned that the parking situation at the hospital needs improvement as the machines do not always work. Cr O’Rourke recommended the Committee send a letter to the hospital outlining these concerns and she would supply the contact details for who the letter should be addressed.

Action Action No. Responsible personA letter is sent to the Bendigo hospital from the Committee explaining parking concerns.

26 Cr O’Rourke and Committee

b. Community Education about Disability (Robert Colbourne, Jessica Stone, Daniel Giles & Tristan Coote)

i. This subcommittee has met twice since the previous DIRC meeting. Minutes for these meetings are available.

ii. The subcommittee would like clarity on the question ‘What authority does the subcommittee have to publicise about the DIRC & what are the protocols that need putting in place before doing so?’ Jolie addressed this question at the conclusion of the meeting.

c. Accessible Housing (Margaret Harvey, Helen Reimers & Daniel Giles)

i. Members were not present to give an update.

d. Safety for people with a Disability in Greater Bendigo (Cr George Flack & Daniel Giles)

i. A meeting has not been held in relation to this sub-committee. ii. The chair advised that perhaps this subcommittee should involve

Tristan Coote and Andrew Smith in relation to safely accessing taxi’s.iii. A member of this committee spoke with Jacinta Allen MP in relation to

special taxis and use. Jacinta Allen advised that there will be enquiries into special taxi’s in the near future.

iv. Cara Smith & Andrew Barrett attended the Victorian Community Transport Association Conference and gained new knowledge and information about changes to the transport industry. Both agreed to present learnings at a future DIRC meeting.

Action Action No. Responsible personAndrew and Cara to present information on the VTAC conference at a future DIRC meeting.

27 Andrew Barrett & Cara Smith

e. Supporting Carers: Margaret Harvey

i. Due to Margaret Harvey’s resignation from the Committee this subcommittee has a vacant position.

7. Guest Presentation – Danai from Planisphere via video conference

a. Danai spoke on the review of the City’s public toilet assets and the work to develop the City’s public toilet strategy for the next 5-10 years. Danai welcomed feedback from the committee.

a. The issue of vandalism within the City was raised with concerns about vandalism of public toilets discussed. Cr O’Rourke advised that the City has received a grant for an additional 30 CCTV cameras within the Central Bendigo District.

ii. The Committee suggested safety and accessibility as important considerations for public toilets.

8. Formation of DIRC Executive Group & submission on draft budget and Community Plan – Robert Colbourne

a. Robert advised that he would like to move for an Executive Committee to act on urgent issues between meetings.

b. This motion was brought forward by Robert Colbourne and seconded by Ann-Maree Davis. The following three members were nominated and accepted as

the DIRC Executive Group; Sara McQueenie, Tristan Coote, Andrew Barrett with support from Jolie Middleton and Cara Smith.

Action Action No. Responsible personAn Executive Committee to be established that can act on behalf of the DIRC in between meetings when urgent action is required.

28 Cara Smith, Jolie Middleton, Sara McQueenie, Tristan Coote & Andrew Barrett

c. It was advised that the Council Community Plan is out for consultation. DIRC members were encouraged to read it and put forward any ideas. Jolie advised that she would circulate any specific consultation meetings to the DIRC members via email.

9. Confirm minutes of previous meeting

a. Committee members confirmed they had viewed the minutes. The minutes were confirmed as correct by Robert Colbourne and seconded by Ann-Maree Davis.

10. Update on actions from previous meeting

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

11. Correspondence from the Community

a. Foundation 97 has requested a member of the DIRC and the City attend their next meeting to discuss concerns regarding accessible parking within the City of Greater Bendigo. Andrew Barrett and Andrew Smith volunteered to attend the next meeting.

Action Action No. Responsible personThe details of Foundation 97’s next meeting and the letter of request are emailed to both Andrew Barrett and Andrew Smith.

29 Cara Smith

12. Review of Terms of Reference regarding 1 year membership and recruitment for DIRC

a. The 1 year term committee members were reminded that in line with the terms of reference, retiring committee members will have the opportunity to apply for a further term of office at the completion of their 1 year term.

b. The terms of reference state 3.5.1 Selection Panel: The panel will comprise one Councillor representative, one Inclusive Communities Team representative, and one representative from another business unit within the

City. The Chair moved to include a person with a disability on the selection panel which was seconded by Cr O’Rourke.

Action Action No. Responsible personThe selection panel will include a person with a disability.

30 Jolie Middleton

13. Member role clarity and guidelines.

a. Jolie explained that members of the DIRC must comply with the Conduct of Members section of the terms of reference. She explained that if members were following these guidelines they are able to continue to work towards the goals of the subcommittee groups. Jolie explained she would present more information and lead a discussion regarding these concerns at the next DIRC meeting.

Action Action No. Responsible personFurther discussion and guidance for subcommittee members on interactions with the community as DIRC Members.

31 Jolie Middleton

14. Finish of the Meeting 5.00PM

Sara McQueenie thanked the committee members and guests for attending the meeting. Meeting closed.

Rolling list of actions and updates at this meeting:

Action Action No. Responsible person Date

listedComments / date completed

Write 3 letters to:

the Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing,

Victorian Disability Advisory Committee, and

Greater Bendigo City Council

2 Jolie Middleton to provide support to members to draft letters

15/09/16

18/05/17

Letters completed. Cr George

Flack,Robert Colbourne and Ann-Maree Davis met with Members of Parliament Jacinta Allan & Maree Edwards to discuss the letters.

The Building Inclusive Communities funding

asking for funding and support for the City to keep the disability inclusion staff.

will continue for the next 12 months as requested.

To find out if the Terms of Reference can be changed to remove the condition that the chairperson is to be a Councillor for the first 12 months and if Cr Campbell can remain as the chairperson.

4 Jolie Middleton 15/09/16

18/05/17

Sara McQueenie will act as Chair until a report goes through to Council to formally amend the Terms of Reference.

After the first 12 months of the DIRC the Committee can elect the Chair.

Agenda item for next meeting to brainstorm ideas for a Business Accessibility award.Discussion to consider: how the award would be judged, how much the award would be for and where the funds would come from.

6 Jolie Middleton 17/11/16 Decided this would be managed though a subcommittee.

Invite a member from the Bendigo Business Council to attend the March meeting.

7 Jolie Middleton 17/11/16 No longer applicable – this will be managed through a subcommittee.

Carry over agenda item “Priority areas for the Disability Inclusion Reference Committee” to next meeting.

9 Jolie Middleton 17/11/16

19/01/17

Completed

Inform networks of the opportunity for input into the Community Plan.

12 All Committee Members

19/01/17 Completed

Cara to email out the survey to Committee members.

13 Cara Smith 19/01/17 Completed

Ann-Maree to email Leah Sertori to request

14 Ann-Maree 19/01/17 Completed – Leah Sertori contacted. Awaiting reply

meeting time to discuss possible new award category for accessibility in businesses.

to set-up a meeting to discuss.

Amend the terms of reference to allow for a deputy chair to operate within the Committee.

15 Jolie Middleton 19/01/17 In progress

To email details of the Victorian Community Transport Association Conference to committee members.

16 Jolie Middleton 23/03/17 Completed

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.

Helen to look into the Maxi Taxi problem and talk to Jacinta Allan about it. Helen will also work with Daniel Giles to draft a letter to the Victorian Public Transport Access Committee.

18 Helen Reimers & Daniel Giles

23/03/17 In progress

To invite Vline or VicTrack to the next DIRC meeting to talk about ideas for the new train stations.

19 Jolie Middleton &Phill DeAraugo

23/03/17 & 18/05/17

Cara Smith advised that this is in the process of being done.

The Accessible parking subcommittee is going to find out about free parking in the middle of the city for people with a special type of disability parking permit.

20 Accessible Parking subcommittee

23/03/17

& 18/05/17

Andrew Smith informed this is difficult. Further information needed on the possibility that people with a disability parking permit may not have to pay for parking.

The Accessible parking 21 Accessible Parking 23/03/17

subcommittee is going to find out how to teach doctors about who needs a parking permit and who doesn’t.

subcommittee

The Community education about disability subcommittee is going to meet and make an action plan.

22 Community Education about Disability subcommittee

23/03/17 Refer to subcommittee reports.

The Accessible housing subcommittee is going to meet and make an action plan. Sara McQueenie will ask Helen Riemers to organise the meeting.

23 Accessible Housing subcommittee and Sara McQueenie

23/03/17 Refer to subcommittee reports.

The safety for people with a disability in Greater Bendigo subcommittee is going to meet and make an action plan.

24 Safety for People with a Disability in Greater Bendigosubcommittee

23/03/17 Refer to subcommittee reports.

Change the order of the meeting so that subcommittee reports are talked about before the presentations.

25 Jolie Middleton 23/03/17 Completed

A letter is sent to the Bendigo hospital from the Committee explaining parking concerns.

26 Cr O’Rourke and Committee

18/05/17

Andrew and Cara to present information on the VTAC conference at a future meeting.

27 Andrew Barrett & Cara Smith

18/05/17

An Executive Committee is established that can act on behalf of the DIRC in between meetings when urgent action is needed. Members include: Sara

28 Cara Smith, Jolie Middleton, Sara McQueenie, Tristan Coote & Andrew Barrett

18/05/17

McQueenie, Tristan Coote & Andrew Barrett.The details of Foundation 97’s next meeting and the letter of request are emailed to both Andrew Barrett and Andrew Smith.

29 Cara Smith 18/05/17

The selection panel will include a person with a disability.

30 Jolie Middleton 18/05/17

Further discussion and guidance for subcommittee members on interactions with the community as DIRC Members.

31 Jolie Middleton 18/05/17