SHIRE OF MUKINBUDIN DISABILITY ACCESS AND INCLUSION PLAN 2012 – 2017 This document was last reviewed in September 2012. A recent addition of a 7th Outcome was required by the Disability Services Commission and this has now been added to the Plan. For comment, please contact - [email protected] or post to: Attn Ann Brandis PO Box 67 MUKINBUDIN WA 6479 This plan is available upon request in alternative formats such as large print & electronic format (disk or E-mailed) Audio format and the Shire website at www.mukinbudin.wa.gov.au 1 Contents A. Background & History - Shire of Mukinbudin 1. Responsibility for planning process 2. Functions, Facilities and Services (Both in-house and contracted) provided by the Shire of Mukinbudin 3. Access and inclusion Policy statement for people with disabilities, their families and carers 4. Community consultation process 5. People with disabilities in the Shire of Mukinbudin 6. Progress since 2008 B. Access and inclusion policy statement for people with disabilities, their families and carers C. Development of the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) Responsibility for the planning process Community Consultation Process Findings of the Review Access Barriers Responsibility for implementing the DAIP Communicating the plan to staff and people with disabilities Review and evaluation mechanisms Review and monitoring D. Reporting on the DAIP E. Strategies to improve access and inclusion Attachments: Appendix 1 - Progress Under the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2008 to 2012 Implementation Plan 2012-2017 2 A. Background & History - Shire of Mukinbudin The Shire of Mukinbudin is a small rural community located near the eastern border of the Central Wheatbelt Region. The Shire takes its name from the main townsite named Mukinbudin. In the 1870s pastoralists took up large leases in excess of 20,000 acres to run sheep, plus land was also taken up by Sandalwood cutters and miners en-route to the goldfields. In 1910 the first farmers arrived to commence wheat growing on their 1,000 acre blocks, and it was some time before they added stock to what had been only a wheat growing enterprise. In 1920 the government decided to extend the railway line from Bencubbing to the Mukinbudin area, and the district surveyor, after inspecting the area, decided that a townsite was required. He advised that the local Farmers and Settlers Association wanted the townsite named Barlbarin instead of Muckenbooding, the name by which the area was then known. Land for the townsite was resumed in 1921, and by 1922 when the townsite was gazetted, the local settlers had changed their mind and now wanted it named Muckenbooding, although preferring a shortened spelling. The Surveyor General, H S King, decided it should be spelt Mukinbudin as noted in the gazettal notice of 30th June 1922. Muckenbooding is an Aboriginal name, first recorded use in 1889 for Muckenbooding Rock, however, the meaning of the name is not known. In 1922 the townsite of Mukinbudin was part of the Nungarin Road Board. In 1933 a separate Road Board was established with Mukinbudin as its administrative centre with two smaller sidings within its boundaries – Bonnie Rock to the north and Lake Brown to the east of Mukinbudin, respectively. Mukinbudin townsite is located 293 kilometres east north east of Perth. Mukinbudin is a long skinny Shire of 3,414 square metres in area. The population of the Shire is 700 people with approximately 400 people residing in the Mukinbudin townsite. The main industry in Mukinbudin is cereal crop farming, plus some growing of sheep for the wool and meat trades. There is a small mineral sands mine to the west of Mukinbudin townsite on the Wyalkatchem/Koorda-Southern Cross Road. While small, the Mukinbudin townsite has a pleasant and welcoming feel to it. The residential area is growing as people identify with the town and decide to live here rather than in a large city. The weather is generally good, although the farming community would like to see more rain each year during the winter/spring period. Each winter/early spring there will be a number of frosts over night, and in February/March there will a number of days with maximum temperatures above 35oC. A lack of built-up areas, along with clear skies, affords people excellent views of the heavenly objects. 3 Tourist attractions include the many granite outcrops scattered throughout the Shire and the nature reserve with diverse wildflowers and wildlife. A Bed & Breakfast is located on a farm to the north-east of Mukinbudin, from which visitors can readily travel to Beringbooding Rock, Joureding Rock, De-Eranning Rock, and Yanneymooning Rock, plus the Elachbutting Rock in neighbouring Westonia Shire. Wattoning Historical Site to the north of Mukinbudin townsite reflects the hardships of collecting water by the pioneers from a gnamma hole, a soak, and two rock lined wells. The Pioneer Botanical Walk along the southern boundary of the Mukinbudin townsite recognizes the contribution of pioneer and Aboriginal women in developing the District. History is important to the community and a historical display has been complied within the old Mukinbudin Railway Station building. A corrugated bulk grain silo built in 1949 by Mr Lloyd George Jones that was located 3 kilometres north of Mukinbudin townsite has been relocated into the town and is in the process of being re-erected to help preserve its unique design and to recognize the importance of the grain growing industry to the District. A 50’s Farm Shed was recently constructed and was opened in early September 2007. Within this shed, locals can restore old farm tractors and other machinery and have them on display for visitors to see. 1. Responsibility for planning process It is a requirement of the Disability Act 1993 that all local and state government authorities develop and implement a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) that outlines the ways in which the authority will ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to its facilities and services. This was completed and lodged with the Disability Services Council prior to 31st July 2012. Other legislation underpinning access and inclusion includes the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 and the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), both of which make discrimination on the basis of a person’s disability unlawful. While Action Plans are not compulsory under the DDA, they can assist organizations become more accessible and inclusive, and can provide some clarity during disability discrimination proceedings. A DAIP may also satisfy the DDA’s requirements for Action Plans. 2. Functions, Facilities and Services (Both in-house and contracted) provided by the Shire of Mukinbudin The Shire of Mukinbudin is governed by nine elected members of Council, who are responsible for an annual budget of about $2.6 million. The Shire of Mukinbudin provides a range of functions, facilities and services including: 4 Services to property include: construction and maintenance of roads and footpaths; stormwater drainage; domestic waste collection and disposal, including recycling of certain domestic waste; waste motor oil collection facility; drumMUSTER collection services and facility; litter control and street cleaning; street tree and roadside tree pruning; bushfire control; dog control; and care and maintenance of parks and gardens. Recreation Services to the community include: provision and maintenance of outdoor playing areas for football, cricket, hockey, basketball, and tennis, including lawn bowls, the public swimming pool facility, children’s playground, and Pioneer Botanical Walk trail; plus provision and maintenance of the sporting complex with its social lounge/bar facilities and an indoor hall which carters for basketball/netball/volleyball. General Services to the community include: providing rooms for the visiting doctor service; a public library; TeleCentre; provide and take bookings for the community bus; a little used drive-in centre; small caravan park; and cemetery. Local Government Regulatory Services to the community include: planning processes; building control; environmental health; public health; and dog ranger service. Local Government Administration Services to the community include: provision of general information to the public; lodging and resolution of complaints; collection of rates; vehicle licensing; firearms licensing; and dog registrations. Processes of Local Government include: ordinary and special council and committee meetings; electros meetings; and election of council members. 3. Access and inclusion Policy statement for people with disabilities, their families and carers The Shire of Mukinbudin is committed to ensuring that the community is an accessible and inclusive community for people with disabilities, their families and carers. The Shire of Mukinbudin interprets an accessible and inclusive community as one in which all council functions, facilities, and services (both in-house and contracted) are open, available and accessible to people with disabilities, providing them with the same opportunities, rights and responsibilities enjoyed by all other people in the community. The Shire of Mukinbudin recognizes that people with disabilities are valued members of the community who make a variety of contributions to local social, 5 economic and cultural life. The Shire believes that a community that recognizes its diversity and supports the participation and inclusion of all its members makes for a richer community