"SPORT4ALL" Access And Inclusion Program - Outcomes And Learnings

Brian Stockwell206:08

I'll speak. I think it is an interesting and wide approach because what we're dealing with here is a limited resource and we have identified what is likely to be some historic issues that have artificially reduced the current capacity and that particular issue for Tewantin. So this is a mechanism whereby we can wisely allocate the available space in Tewantin and other cemeteries we have in Pomona and croy Cooroy is as needed. Is councillors? No? Councillor Finzel wish to close. I'll put the motion those in favour. That's unanimous. Thank you. We then move on to sports for all access and inclusion program outcomes and learnings. We welcome the manager of our inclusion officer. Who would like to do the overview?

I'll start. So this report the outcomes and learnings from for all access and inclusion program. Delivered from June 2024 to June 2026. The program aimed to build the capacity of clubs, schools and community organisations to deliver inclusive sporting opportunities for people with disability. It also strengthened council's internal capability and approach to access and inclusion. The program achieved significant community impact, exceeding original targets for engagement, training and action planning. Many outcomes extended beyond the original scope, demonstrating the value of a dedicated inclusion role within Council. The program has provided participation, accessibility and partnerships across the Noosa community. It highlights the benefit of a coordinated organisational-wide approach to access and inclusion moving forward.

Amelia Lorentson211:37

I will try the amendment and it's a D that Council direct the CEO, to include funding for a permanent inclusion officer role in the current budget, having regard to the demonstrated return on investment delivered through the sport for all program. I forgot, sorry. Okay, let's start again. That Council, that's right, sorry. D, that Council direct the CEO. Include funding for inclusion officer role in the current budget. To the demonstrated return on investment through the sports for all program. And the ongoing and growing access and inclusion needs of the Noosa community.

Amelia Lorentson215:02

Oh, okay. I'm going to start with an apology. To the people in our community who live with a disability. To the clubs and schools who invested in this program in good faith, and to Jamila who's delivered extraordinary work in this role. I'm sorry that this amendment has not matched your effort or your trust. I've been volunteering and under section, before someone calls a point of order, under section 11.4 of our Standing Orders, I am able to share a story that arises the from agenda item in front of us and I'm going to share a personal story. I've been volunteering with the seawolf-Smitha program now for 13 years, making sure that children with disability have the same chance to learn Surf Lifesaving skills as every other child in this community. In 2022, I fought for an all-access beach mat. It took years to achieve something that should have been obvious. The Noosa seahorse inclusion foundation, which myself and a few other members one of the community built for one reason, because we were tired of watching people with disabilities being marginalised in their own community. We started raising our own funds, providing wheelchairs at the visitor information centre, at surf clubs, helping people with disabilities buy their own cars, bringing First Nations people from Cunnamulla and people with geographic barriers to Noosa to allow them the same opportunities we have to enjoy our ocean. I also sit on the SLSQ, the State disability workshop for surf life save in Queensland. Two years ago, Surf Lifesaving Queensland established a dedicated diversity and equity strategy and appointed a full-time officer for their first time in surf life save in history. A state peak body understood that you cannot embed inclusion without dedicated resourcing and yet here we are. For roughly $70,000 of council's own money over two years, this program engaged 25 sporting clubs, trained 150 people, delivered wheelchair basketball, adaptive skateboarding, walking basketball and more. And embedded inclusion into Council planning in that has never happened before. The report tells us that the most significant outcomes were never in the original scope. They happened because a dedicated person like Jamila with lived experience was present and empowered to act. You cannot planning replace that with a social policy or a committee. Noosa's median age is 50.5 years. 36% of our population is over 60. Nearly 30% live with a long-term health condition. This need is not going to diminish. Every year without a dedicated inclusion function is a choice. To let this momentum fade and to tell people who experience barriers to participation that their access is subject to budget availability. I've been generally encouraged by the steps this Council has taken in this space and this program was a real first step in the right direction but to say that I'm disappointed that there is no funding to continue is an understatement and I'm putting on record today that this Council must find a way to fund an ongoing access and inclusion function not as a nice to have but as a commitment to this community and I'm not going to stop pushing this and I won't sleep at night until this happens. Community are watching us and just simply they deserve better than us than the decision that's been made today.