Following consultations undertaken during June to December 2009, Rockhampton Regional Council resolved on 9 March 2010 to establish a Regional Access and Equity Advisory Committee.
This Committee will additionally have three interlinked Community Reference Groups in key locality areas (Capricorn Coast, Rockhampton & Mount Morgan). The Advisory Committee and Community Reference Groups will have a particular focus on access and equity issues pertaining to the following groups:
- People with a disability;
- People from diverse cultural & linguistic backgrounds;
- Indigenous Australians;
- Frail Aged;
- Carers; and
- Those experiencing marginalisation, social isolation and/or socio-economic disadvantage.
The role of the Community Reference Groups is to identify and communicate to the formal Advisory Committee priority issues that are impacting resident's access to:
- Council services, information, facilities, and public space areas
- Opportunities to participate in planning and community engagement activities of Council
- An inclusive customer service experience
- Plus possible ways that access and equity issues could be addressed
The main role of the formal Advisory Committee is to:
- Consider a range of access and equity matters within Council's strategic policy, planning and service delivery domain;
- Provide information, advice and recommendations to Council regarding access and equity matters; and
- Ensure Community Reference Groups are provided with timely feedback and opportunities to contribute.
The formal Advisory Committee consists of the following:
- 3 Elected Councillors of Rockhampton Regional Council (RRC)
- General Manager for Communities RRC
- Strategic Manager Community Development and Culture RRC
- 1 representative from the State Government's Department of Communities
- 1 representative from Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland
- 1 representative from the non-government community service sector
- 1 representative from each of the local Community Reference Groups (3 community members)
In 12 months time one aim is to have key access and equity issues, strategies and outcomes identified and prioritized within a whole of Council:
Access & Equity Action Plan
A key task though at the moment is to establish the three Community Reference Groups
- Capricorn Coast
- Mount Morgan & Surrounds
- Rockhampton & Surrounds
Made up of local residents, and representatives from community groups, agencies and RRC meeting quarterly - feeding input to the formal Advisory Committee (which will meet quarterly).
So what do we mean by the term Access and Equity? Definition:
The process of ensuring equal opportunity and the allocation of resources and services in a fair, consistent and inclusive manner irrespective of an individual's or group's cultural or linguistic background, their religion or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, gender, age, or abilities.
In simple terms Access and Equity is about removing barriers to open up opportunities for people!
Access and Equity Meeting Documents
Rockhampton Access and Equity Meeting Notes - 30 March 2011
Yeppoon Access and Equity Meeting Notes - 8 March 2011
Please note, the Mount Morgan Access and Equity Meeting planned for March 17 was cancelled.
Rockhampton Access and Equity Meeting Notes - 15 June 2011
Yeppoon Access and Equity Meeting Notes - 14 June 2011
Mount Morgan Access and Equity Meeting Notes - 16 June 2011
Rockhampton Access and Equity Meeting Notes - 14 September 2011
Yeppoon Access and Equity Meeting Notes - 6 September 2011
Please note, the Mount Morgan Access and Equity Meeting planned for September 15 was cancelled.
Rockhampton Access and Equity Meeting Notes - 14 December 2011
Yeppoon Access and Equity Meeting Notes - 6 December 2011
Mount Morgan Access and Equity Meeting Notes - 22 December 2011
Rockhampton Access and Equity Meeting Notes - 7 March 2012
Capricorn Coast Access and Equity Meeting Notes - 6 March 2012
Mount Morgan Access and Equity Meeting Notes - 14 March 2012