Mayoral Column – Have your say on the Draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-30

Wednesday, 29 April 2026

Penrith City Council has a long and proud history as a leader of accessibility in local government.

Since 1992 our Access Committee, made up of councillors and community representatives, has embedded lived and professional experience of disability in decision-making and influenced meaningful change in Penrith. The committee has led service improvements, infrastructure upgrades, enhanced public safety, transport connections, and more inclusive programs.

Council is ready to continue to ensure that everyone in our growing City can fully participate in community life. I am pleased to share the Draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-30 is now on public exhibition.

This plan builds on our achievements so far and sets out how Council will provide more opportunities and support for people with disability in Penrith, through our day-to-day business operations, collaboration and continued advocacy.

Last year, Council invited the community to help us shape a more accessible and inclusive Penrith for the future as we developed this plan – and the response online and in person was immense.

We heard from people with disability, their families, carers and service providers. Thank you for your valuable input which enables Council’s actions to respond meaningfully to the needs and aspirations of people with disability.

Some of the positive, tangible outcomes from our last Disability Inclusion Action Plan, prepared in line with our 2025-29 Delivery Program, include a specialist toy library service in our Penrith City Libraries for children with disability and special needs, the multi-award-winning Gipps

Street Recreation Precinct that offers inclusive play and pathways, and 6 new Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)-compliant bus shelters.

And of course, we delivered our award-winning One Community, Many Abilities social media campaign that reached more than 1.5 million people. It highlighted the stories of 5 inspiring residents with visible and invisible disabilities to show their diverse experiences, talents and contributions to our community.

I encourage you to read Council’s new 4-year plan and share your thoughts before it’s finalised. You can provide feedback until 20 May at yoursaypenrith.com.au/disabilityinclusionactionplan.

Cr Todd Carney
Mayor of Penrith

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Wednesday, 29 April 2026.