Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel

The Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel 2022-26 identifies actions that Council can take to improve access to services and facilities for older people and people with disability.

The Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel operates in accordance with the Committee Charter see link Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel Charter

The Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel promotes:

• awareness of ageing and disability issues within Council and the community
• supports initiatives which promote non-discriminatory access and use of services and facilities
• monitors Council's non-discriminatory access and use policies and their implementation
• contributes information for Council's plans and policies relevant to the target groups and provides advice to Council on programs and events to ensure the inclusion of people from the target groups

Membership is open to 12 members of the community who are elected as per Council term. Members will represent the interests of older people, carers and people with a disability all across the City to ensure equity of access to services and facilities for all residents of Lake Macquarie. Panel members are made up from the ageing and disability sector with lived experience either personally, in caring roles or involvement with related organisations, local community groups and services. Meetings are held bi-monthly at Council's Administration Centre and/or online via Zoom.