Mayor column: with Cr John Harvie

Published on 16 July 2026

One of the things that makes our region special is the people who call it home. Everyone has a role to play in our community, and everyone should have the opportunity to participate, connect and feel included.

Council is currently developing a new Disability Inclusion Action Plan, and we want our community to help shape what comes next.

The plan will guide the actions Council takes over the next four years to improve access and inclusion across our services, facilities, events, public spaces and information. While we have made progress, we know there are always opportunities to do better and remove barriers that may prevent people from fully participating in community life.

The best way for us to understand what needs to change is by listening to the people who live, work and participate in our communities. We want to hear about what is working well, where challenges exist and what improvements would make a meaningful difference.

This includes hearing from people with disability, their families and support workers, as well as community groups, businesses and residents across the region. Every experience and perspective helps us build a clearer picture of how we can make our community more welcoming and accessible for all.

I encourage everyone to get involved and share their feedback. We have an online survey, or there are various ways to chat to us in person next week. You can find out more at our Your Say website: yoursay.murrayriver.nsw.gov.au

Your ideas can help guide practical actions and ensure our next Disability Inclusion Action Plan reflects the needs and aspirations of our community.

Another thing I know about our communities is that there is never a shortage of great ideas. Whether it's a sporting club looking to upgrade its facilities, a community group planning a new initiative or a local business wanting to expand, there are always worthwhile projects waiting to happen.

Finding the funding to make those ideas a reality can sometimes be the hardest part. That's why I'm encouraging everyone to make use of Council's free Grants Finder service on our website.

It's a simple online tool that brings together hundreds of grants and funding opportunities from government, philanthropic and corporate organisations in one convenient place. Better still, you can sign up to receive notifications when grants that suit your interests become available.

Our volunteers, community groups and businesses contribute so much to the vibrancy of our region. If there's a project you've been thinking about, now is a great time to see what support might be available. You never know where the right grant could lead.