Local residents experienced first-hand the everyday challenges faced by people with mobility issues during an access awareness activity held in the Gunnedah CBD last week.
Fifteen participants from Gunnedah Shire Council, Council’s Access Working Group and Sunnyfield Disability Services travelled through Conadilly Street using wheelchairs, walking aids, prams, crutches and glasses simulating a range of vision conditions.
The activity aimed to raise awareness of accessibility issues and support actions outlined in Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2024–2028, as well as its long-term goals of improving access and fostering inclusion across the Shire.
Council Director Community and Development Andrew Johns said the exercise was often eye-opening for people accustomed to unrestricted mobility.
“The aim of the activity is to ‘experience’ what it is like for those with mobility challenges – temporary or permanent – to navigate their way around the CBD, and in and out of shops,” he said.
“It can also help business owners to better understand how they can maximise opportunities to sell their goods, products and services by laying out their premises in a way that enables people with prams, low vision and varied mobility to move easily in and around the building.”
Participants also assessed the usability of crossings, ramps and accessible parking bays, and discussed opportunities for design improvements.
Mayor Colleen Fuller said she had noticed significant improvements in accessibility since the previous Access Awareness Activity in 2018.
“It’s encouraging to see businesses considering the different needs of community members and accommodating those needs through various measures including increased spacing between shelves, widened doorways and the addition of chairs in-store,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Kate McGrath said improvements such as ramps at entrances, automatic doors and accessible-height counters were positive developments, but further work was needed in the CBD.
“Activities like this are important because they actually force you to be more aware of what the issues are, but also start thinking about the cost and the trade-off to resolve those issues,” she said.
“There’s a difference between something being compliant and actually being user-friendly and genuinely accessible.
“I think it’s important that the areas where we have invested the money to make sure we’re compliant, to also be ensuring that they’re fit-for-purpose.”
Following community feedback, the Access Working Group plans to undertake access audits of other key streets near the CBD.
Council staff will also distribute copies of the Gunnedah Shire Missed Business Guide to new businesses and organisations along the main street to help identify opportunities to improve internal layouts and accessibility.
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