Creating a more accessible Cairns

Council is creating a more inclusive and accessible community through the successful delivery of its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2024-26, with 95 per cent of the Plan’s 37 actions now either complete or well underway.

The DAIP supports the estimated 28,000 residents living with disability across the Cairns region, as well as thousands of carers and older residents who benefit from improved accessibility and inclusion initiatives.

Over the past two years, Council invested more than $2.2 million in accessible infrastructure upgrades, while also expanding community participation opportunities through initiatives such as Chair Yoga classes, Quiet Spaces at major events and the launch of the Brike wheelchair e-bike in partnership with Spinal Life.

Council also strengthened inclusion across arts, libraries and workplaces, adding more than 18,000 accessible library catalogue items, developing accessibility resources and training 362 staff through Diversity Awareness eLearning.

Tanks Arts Centre was also nominated as finalist for Queensland Music Awards for Accessible Venue of the Year 2025.

The Plan’s achievements were driven by a whole-of-organisation approach, with ongoing collaboration between Council, community members and stakeholders helping to maintain momentum as work begins on the development of a new plan.