Council wins funding to make foreshore inclusive and age-friendly


Seniors and people with mobility issues will soon have new ramps, seating and shade installed on our Manning River foreshore, after Council won $50,000 in the Creating Liveable Communities Competition.

The results of the competition were announced on Tuesday 24 February by Minister for Disability Services, John Ajaka and Minister for Local Government, Paul Toole. The money from the NSW Department of Family and Community Services will be used to install ramps at popular access points, seats and shade structures along the existing footpath and in popular parks including Harry Bennett Park, Queen Elizabeth Park and Fotheringham Park.

Competition funds will also be used to purchase a number of iPads, which will be available to seniors to loan from our libraries.

Community Engagement Officer, Sarah Wilkinson said “We recognise that we have an ageing community and Council plays an important role in ensuring that infrastructure and facilities are accessible and age-friendly. We want to ensure that seniors can enjoy our community spaces and participate in events that encourage and enable seniors to lead an active healthy lifestyle.” 

The intent of the Creating Liveable Communities Competition was to fund innovative and creative ideas that make the community more liveable for older people, carers and people with a disability. The success of this grant demonstrates, once again, the ability of Council to write funding applications that meet the criteria of the funding program to support the upgrading of our community’s infrastructure.

Sarah went on to say, “This project builds upon work that we have already undertaken along the foreshore through government funded projects. We have already made upgrades to the footpath, installed outdoor exercise equipment, beautified the area and we also plan to put accessible toilets in Harry Bennett Park.”

“This money is an opportunity to make the space more inclusive to all of our community. There are flow on benefits to people with disabilities and limited mobility as well as parents with prams,” said Sarah.

Council will be working in collaboration with the seniors community to seek their input in the implementation of this project to ensure the final product is what the community wants. Anyone who is interested in being a part of a steering committee can contact Council on (02) 6592 5339 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information visit Greater Taree City Council