Thank you to everyone who participated for taking the time to share their views and experiences as part of the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (2026–2030) engagement process. Their insights are helping us to better understand what’s working well and where improvements are needed to make Ballarat more accessible and inclusive for everyone.

We received strong participation across the community, with engagement from more than 300 people. This included community members and organisational representatives taking part in targeted sessions, drop‑in activities, one‑on‑one discussions, stakeholder workshops, and online participation through the MySay platform.

We have now reviewed and analysed all the feedback received in the first phase and developed the draft Disability Access and Inclusion Plan. Community input will directly inform the update of the City of Ballarat’s draft Disability Access and Inclusion Plan. A draft of the Plan is expected to be released for public exhibition in mid‑2026.

An engagement summary report is available now sharing the outcomes with the community from the first phase of engagement. Your contribution is invaluable in helping shape a more inclusive Ballarat.

Did you know that 7.4% of people in Ballarat live with a disability? That’s higher than the average across Regional Victoria. We also have more people living with a profound or severe disability compared to the regional average.

People with disability are more likely to experience discrimination and exclusion, leading to poorer individual health and social outcomes. When communities are accessible and inclusive, everyone benefits from the diverse skills, talents, and contributions that people living with disability bring.

We're seeking feedback from you to help us refine the draft Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (2030-2026).

This is our four-year Plan to make Ballarat a more inclusive and accessible community for everyone. This Plan will guide us to improve accessibility and reduce barriers, ensuring people with disability can fully participate and thrive in all aspects of community life in Ballarat.

This Plan guides how we plan, deliver, and evaluate our services, facilities, and programs. Over the next four years, it will drive the City of Ballarat’s work to improve our buildings and public spaces, our services, employment opportunities, and ensure events and programs are accessible.