New nursing labs have opened at The Gordon's Geelong City Campus, giving 416 Diploma of Nursing students hands-on clinical training in simulated hospital wards. The Gordon chief executive Joe Ormeno said the facilities include assistive technology for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, wheelchair access, adjustable furniture and low-stimulation spaces. Deputy premier Gabrielle Williams said the labs are the first stage of The Gordon's TAFE Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion. Work on the remaining stages is underway, with the centre due for completion next year.
The Rotary Club of Mullumbimby is enhancing beach accessibility in the Northern Rivers region. At Torakina Beach, Brunswick Heads, the club offers free beach wheelchairs and related gear. This initiative aims to remove obstacles for individuals with mobility challenges, enabling them to experience coastal environments. The project reflects a community-driven effort to promote inclusivity. The Wire reports on this local endeavour to improve beach access for all Australians.
Alpine Shire Council has received $530,000 from the Victorian Government's Local Sports Infrastructure Fund. Of this, $500,000 will upgrade amenities at the Myrtleford Indoor Stadium, including renovated toilets and change rooms, a new meeting room and accessible changing facilities. The remaining $30,000 will help complete the draft Alpine Shire Open Space Strategy 2027-2037, which will seek community input on parks, playgrounds and reserves. Mayor Sarah Nicholas welcomed the funding. Further details on scope and timelines will be released when the projects begin in 2027.
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A future Liberal Government has pledged $7 million to replace the ageing clubrooms at the Inverloch-Kongwak Football Netball Club. The plan includes a two-storey clubhouse with change rooms for female players, umpire facilities, a canteen, and all-abilities bathrooms. Sealed car parking around the playing field is also proposed. Shadow Sport Minister Brad Battin made the announcement with local candidate Rochelle Halstead. Club president Peter Butcher said the club had been pushing for the upgrade for ten years.
Fernando Rezende Silveira, 44, has been unable to get a clear diagnosis for more than a year, despite tests by doctors in Australia and overseas. His condition has left him largely reliant on a wheelchair and has stopped the couple's dancing and travel. Doctors have given a provisional diagnosis of seronegative autoimmune encephalitis, but treatment was stopped when he did not respond. Samples have been sent to the United States for testing. His wife, Fernanda De Almeida Santos Cordeiro, has left her job to become his full-time carer.
The boat ramp at Schnapper Point has reopened following upgrades designed to improve safety and access. Better Boating Victoria fully funded the work, which included new jetties, a rebuilt ramp, a concrete pedestrian area and accessible jetties with a hansa hoist. Councillor Paul Pingiaro praised the project for being delivered on time for the boating and snapper season. Mayor Stephen Batty said the facilities would let people of all abilities enjoy boating and fishing. Boardwalk reconstruction is due to start in late October and is expected to finish by Christmas, with temporary closures during construction.
BB Disability & Mental Health Services is expanding its high-spec accessible housing across the Illawarra region. The organisation is building new Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) homes, designed to meet strict government requirements for permanent, accessible housing. Despite funding challenges, BB Disability is committed to providing stable, connected housing for people living with disability, with plans to expand into Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands.
A growing number of Victorian councils are moving to ban smart glasses from pools, childcare centres, playgrounds and recreation centres. Sixteen of the state's 79 local authorities are investigating or introducing such measures. Frankston City Council has resolved to look at further restrictions, and the City of Melbourne has installed signs prohibiting smart glasses at its pools and recreation facilities. Disability advocates want exceptions for people with accessibility needs. Behavioural scientist Stephen Fisher says signs and bans are unlikely to deter people who intend to harass or secretly record women.
Construction has begun on a new playspace at Garden Gully Recreation Reserve in Ironbark, near Bendigo. The $1 million project includes nature-based and interactive play options, barbecue facilities, a shelter, seating, a drinking fountain and bike parking. The City of Greater Bendigo is funding most of the cost, and the federal government has pledged $100,000 through the Commonwealth Accessible Australia initiative. Mayor Thomas Prince said the playspace and new public toilets form part of the reserve's updated masterplan. Federal MP Lisa Chesters said the funding will help children with disability play outdoors.
Wheelchair user and bike rider Dion Woodward has invited State Election candidates in Frankston, Carrum and Hastings to experience the difficulties of a missing shared user path link along Fletcher Road. He says paths often end suddenly, crossings are difficult and busy traffic makes trips unsafe, including for support workers. A connection there would close one of the largest gaps in Frankston's network, linking the city centre with education and health destinations. Frankston City Council has committed $5.85 million to five shared user path projects, including Fletcher Road, and is asking candidates to match that funding.
Victoria's electoral commission will open one low-sensory voting centre in each of the state's 88 lower-house districts ahead of the 28 November election. The centres open on 17 November, a day before other early-voting sites, and are staffed by trained mobile voting teams. They aim to offer a quiet, low-stimulus environment for neurodivergent voters and those with sensory needs. The program follows trials at by-elections in Warrandyte, Prahran, Werribee and Nepean, where attendance was recorded. Campaigners remain allowed nearby, subject to standard six-metre exclusion zones.
Nambucca Valley Council has drafted a plan to make its services, facilities and information more accessible to people with disability. Councillors placed the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2027-2031 on public exhibition at the September Ordinary Meeting. Mayor Gary Lee said the plan was shaped by consultation with people with disability, their carers, families and the wider community. Residents can comment until 5pm on 23 October 2026, by writing to the General Manager or emailing council.
Nambucca Valley residents have until 5pm on Friday, 23 October to comment on a draft disability inclusion plan for 2027 to 2031. Nambucca Valley Council says the plan sets out practical actions to make council services, facilities and programs more accessible. Census data counts 1813 people with disability in the valley, about 9.6 per cent of the population. A 2018 Australian Bureau of Statistics estimate puts the figure at 25 per cent. Submissions can be sent to the council's general manager.
The City of Ballarat has welcomed a Labor pledge to commit $2 million to footpath upgrades in Ballarat East, Golden Point and Mount Clear. The commitment applies if Labor retains government at the 28 November Victorian state election. Mayor Tracey Hargreaves said the upgrade would improve connectivity and accessibility for residents and is a council priority. She called on all other candidates in the seat to match the promise so the funding is guaranteed whatever the election result.
The Australian Local Government Association has begun the second phase of its Disability Inclusion Project. Representatives from 38 councils are taking part in a two-year program aimed at turning disability inclusion plans into practical results. The first meeting of the national Community of Practice was held on 7 October 2026. Members elected an executive group, with Alexandra Bignell from the City of Casey as Chair. Members identified six priority areas, including accessible communication, inclusive employment and evaluating outcomes. The project will share resources, webinars and case studies to help councils put their commitments into practice.
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The upgraded boat ramp at Schnapper Point is now open to boaters. Better Boating Victoria fully funded the project, which includes new jetties, a larger launching area and an accessible jetty with a Hansa hoist. Mayor Stephen Batty said the works open boating and fishing to people of all abilities. Construction of the next stage, a boardwalk replacement using fibre reinforced polymer, is set to begin later this month. Works are expected to finish by Christmas, with temporary closures during construction.
Surf Coast residents with disability and carers are being asked what they need from the council to make community life more accessible and inclusive. Feedback will shape the Surf Coast Shire's four-year disability action plan, with a public survey and six community workshops running this month. Workshops run from 12 October in Lorne, with dedicated sessions for carers and adults with disability aged under 65. Committee members say the plan will turn the council's commitment to inclusion into practical action.
New rules to make public transport more accessible took effect today under the Australian Government's push to remove discrimination against people with disability. The changes cover staff training, information sharing and design requirements for vehicles, buildings and infrastructure across the whole journey. Bus, tram, train, light rail, ferry, taxi and aviation operators must implement the requirements, with some due within five or 10 years and others when they upgrade or buy new assets. Updated guidance and summaries in Auslan and Easy Read formats are available. Separate work on aviation-specific standards continues.
Disability advocates say negative labels such as pervert glasses are unfair to people who rely on smart glasses. Chris Edwards, who is blind, says the technology gives him new independence in daily tasks. Matt Henderson, who is deaf, uses the devices for live captions in meetings. Meanwhile, governments and councils are debating restrictions after the glasses were used to film people secretly. Greens senator David Shoebridge plans a bill for a 12-month import ban, with an exemption for disability aids.
The Ian Potter State Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne will reopen on 3 October, six months ahead of schedule, after its first major refurbishment since 1984. The $100 million upgrade focused on accessibility, audience comfort, and technical improvements while preserving the theatre's original design. The refurbishment introduced new accessible seating, lifts, amenities, and upgraded lighting and sound systems. The theatre is home to The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia and features a stage larger than four tennis courts.
