Universal access

This fact sheet assists applicants and designers to meet requirements providing equitable access to people with disabilities.

Section 23 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 specifically addresses physical access to premises that are public or that public is entitled to enter or use. This basically means that any new buildings of commercial nature must provide disabled access.

The Planning Scheme does not provide specific provisions for access other than the very basic standards included in Clause 55.05 On-site amenity and facilities. However, the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and the Australian Standards (AS) provide regulations regarding access to buildings and access in public areas in general. The two documents set the minimum requirements for access including a number of measurable standards to be used in the design and construction of new buildings against which all buildings should be assessed.

Council is committed to the provision of a fair and equitable access to all services and facilities for all resident groups, which is the reason for developing the "Disability Access and Inclusion Policy and Action Plan", which can be accessed on council's website.

This fact sheet encourages disabled access to be considered at the early stages of design. Disabled access has become of paramount importance, especially with the significant increase in ageing population in municipalities like Boroondara.