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Minister to Launch Local Rural Access Initiative

Aiming for an inclusive Victorian community that reflects the needs and aspirations of people with disabilities

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 13th February 2002 - Back to News

The Minister for Community Services, the Hon Christine Campbell, MP will be launching the RuralAccess Initiative this month in Gippsland.

The launch will be held at 2.30pm on Sunday, February 24, in conjunction with the Music for the People event at Moss Vale Park, Berrys Creek, with the musical events starting at 11a.m.

The RuralAccess initiative is a Bracks Government funded initiative that aims to increase the capacity for rural and regional communities to plan and develop strategies to enhance community membership opportunities for people with disabilities. RuralAccess is part of Victorian Government’s One Community vision, which aims for an inclusive Victorian community that reflects the needs and aspirations of people with disabilities.

Six Gippsland Councils have been engaged to auspice the RuralAccess initiative including South Gippsland Shire Council, Bass Coast Shire Council, Baw Baw Shire Council, Wellington Shire Council, East Gippsland Shire Council and Latrobe City.

“I welcome this opportunity to work in partnership with local government to build communities that are more inclusive of people with a disability and where disability is not a barrier to participation in local community life,” Minister Campbell said.

Each of the RuralAccess services will play an important role in working with local communities to identify the needs, priorities and opportunities for projects which respond to key issues identified by people with disabilities and their families.

If you would like to know more about RuralAccess in the South Gippsland and Bass Coast Shires, please contact the RuralAccess Project Officer, Ms Kathryn Pryor at the South Gippsland or Bass Coast Shire Council offices.

If you have a disability or are the carer of a person with a disability and require transport to attend the launch of RuralAccess at Moss Vale Park on 24 February 2002, please contact your local Council Office for assistance.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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