Kingston’s All-Abilities Action Plan delivers in its first year

Published on 23 September 2025

Kingston’s commitment to building an inclusive, accessible community is delivering real results, with the first year of the All-Abilities Action Plan achieving a wide range of improvements across the city.

The four-year plan, adopted in 2024 after extensive community consultation, sets out 30 actions across four priority areas – changing attitudes and caring communication, healthy and active lifestyles, getting around Kingston, and participating in the workforce.

Mayor Georgina Oxley said the Year 1 report, presented to Council this week, shows strong progress and real benefits for the community.

“From new sensory spaces at our major festivals to beach access mats at Mordialloc, inclusive sport days for young people and accessibility upgrades in shopping precincts – these are practical changes that make a huge difference in people’s daily lives,” Cr Oxley said.

“This plan was built with our community, not just for them. The voices of people with lived experience of disability are guiding the way, and together we are creating a city where everyone feels welcome and supported.”

Key achievements in the first 12 months include:

• Inclusive events – sensory spaces introduced at major festivals and a portable sensory kit created for smaller events.
• Accessible recreation – Disability Sports Day held with partners including St Kilda Football Club, plus accessible sailing, fishing and lifesaving programs.
• Better access to public spaces – beach matting rolled out at Mordialloc Beach with expansion planned; audits completed at five major shopping centres.
• Inclusive opportunities – new volunteering roles and work experience placements for young people with disability, along with a Workplace Adjustment Policy in development at Council.

Cr Oxley said the achievements are the result of strong collaboration between Council departments, service providers and local residents.

“We know one in five people in Kingston live with disability, so accessibility and inclusion can’t be an afterthought – they must be at the heart of everything we do,” she said.

“The first year has given us real momentum, and I’m excited to see the next stage of the plan unfold as we keep building a community where diversity is seen as a strength.”

The All Abilities Action Plan 2024–2028 was developed through a co-design process involving local people with disability and carers, and is available on Council’s website.