City of Darwin is marking one year since the launch of its Access Strategy 2025 – 2030, with a range of initiatives delivered to make Darwin more accessible and inclusive.
The five-year strategy is focused on helping people with disability participate, navigate, communicate and be recognised across all aspects of community life.
Lord Mayor Peter Styles said the first year had delivered meaningful improvements across City of Darwin facilities and services, including libraires and recreation facilities, as well as more accessible information.
“An accessible city is one where everyone can take part, feel welcome and have the opportunity to connect with their community.
“The Access Strategy has helped drive a stronger focus on access and inclusion across the municipality, with initiatives spanning our facilities, services, programs, events and the way we engage with the community.
“This work is making access and inclusion part of our everyday planning and decision-making, so that the needs and experiences of people with disability are considered across the organisation.
“Our goal is to keep improving the experience for people with disability and make sure access and inclusion remains part of how we plan, deliver and support our city into the future,” Mr Styles said.
Since the strategy was launched, City of Darwin has:
- Delivered the 2025 DiversAbility Fun Day event, attracting 600+ people, and introduced two new Lord Mayoral Award categories recognising people with disability and those who advocate for inclusion.
- Improved accessibility at Casuarina and Nightcliff Libraries with tactile indicators, accessible water bubblers and signage, plus tactile paving and ramp upgrades along Nightcliff Foreshore.
- Expanded access to quiet and sensory-friendly spaces through Reset Rooms and provided sensory kits at libraries and events.
- Completed an accessible beach audit and continued the Sport4All program to increase participation in sport and recreation for people with disability.
- Developed pool Access Guides, piloted visual stories for major events and promoted the MLAK program for free access to eligible accessible public facilities.
- Installed communication boards at Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre and Jingili Water Gardens to support people with communication needs.
- Introduced a six-month Convo Access trial, providing on-demand Auslan interpreting across City of Darwin customer service locations, libraries, pools, youth programs and events.
- Became a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower accredited organisation and provided training to customer-facing staff.
- Introduced accessibility tools and widgets to the City of Darwin website to make online information easier to access for people with different reading, visual and accessibility needs.
- Worked with event partners, including Darwin Festival, to improve accessibility through communication boards and Auslan interpreting.
- Hosted Autism NT and Dementia Alliance Australia speakers during Seniors Month to promote disability awareness and inclusion.
City of Darwin’s Access Strategy 2025 – 2030 was developed in collaboration with people with disability and guided by City of Darwin’s Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee.
The strategy sets out City of Darwin’s five-year commitment to creating a more accessible and inclusive city, with a focus on Participate, Navigate, Communicate and Recognise.
