Council to develop disability tourism precinct

Central Coast Council will develop an all-inclusive disability tourism precinct "on the coastline of the Peninsula", according to a staff report to the council on November 12.

The "accessible tourism activation initiative" would "establish a set of accessible tourism experiences incorporating all elements ... travel, parking, retail, accommodation, activities".

It would "boost tourism, economic stimulus and residential lifestyle choice", according to report authors, unit managers Mr Glen Cannard and Ms Sue Ledingham.

According to their report, the Council will also conduct a series of nationally-recognised training sessions for local businesses and enterprises on how to improve accessibility and inclusiveness."

All Abilities Foundation chair Ms Marcelle Hoff of Ettalong said the Peninsula should be the obvious choice for an inclusive disability tourism precinct on the Central Coast.

"It is flat with wide footpaths and has many good facilities for people who are wheelchair dependent," she said.

"The All Abilities Foundation came about because I was chatting to a local business owner about tourism opportunities for Ettalong and I mentioned that Ettalong needed a 'point of difference' - a 'destination attraction'," Ms Hoff said.

"I discussed this with like-minded folk and we set up All Abilities," she said.

"We are endeavouring to co-operate with various businesses and local organisations into altering and developing places and spaces that meet inclusive requirements.

"I had read the Local Government Association report, prepared by UTS, about funds spent on short-stay and overnight trips by people with disabilities, their carers and families with small children and the demand is obvious," she said.

"The inclusive tourism market in Australia was estimated to be worth up to $8.9 billion over the first three months of 2017 so there is an opportunity here for the Peninsula.

"This southern end of the Central Coast local government area could definitely be better served by Council's current tourism marketing provider, The Affinity Partnership.

"The Peninsula has so many obvious attributes, including its long-standing culture of inclusiveness that makes it the ideal location for one of the precincts.

"All people have the right to identical (where possible) facilities and equivalent facilities if identical is not possible.

"They have a right to be able to use their finances to maintain a good lifestyle, live equitably.

"All new developments and refurbishments on the Peninsula need to be done in line with the Australian Network for Universal Housing Design's principles.

"Our vision is to uphold an organisation that supports a strong and connected community for people of all abilities and we look forward to working with Central Coast Council to promote the Peninsula as one of its inclusive precincts," she said.

SOURCE:

Central Coast Council agenda 3.2, 12 Nov 2018

Media statement, 15 Nov 2018

Marcelle Hoff, All Abilities Foundation

Reporter: Jackie Pearson