Aged and Disability Services

Our Ageing Population

22% of residents (approx 34,000 people) in the Shire have a disclosed disability. 50% of people aged over 65 in NSW have a disability.

Many more people in our Shire than ever before will be seniors within the next 10 years. The range of services they require varies from those which support seniors to remain active and participate in their community such as clubs and volunteer activities to services which provide assistance for people to remain independent in their homes and community.

Aged and Disability Services

Senior Services Aged and Disability Services is part of Council's Community Development Team. The main focus is to support and promote community development with local service providers to ensure that needs are being identified and met. The Aged and Disability Services Officer is an enquiry point for both services and residents, supports senior citizens groups, facilitates the Access Committee, assists with demographic information and convenes the Baulkham Hills Shire Home and Community Care forum where local aged and disability service providers meet to exchange information. Council also operates with a Disability Action Plan which proactively addresses disability issues in the local area and promotes accessible communities. The Action Plan considers access to Council premises, the provision of information to customers, role modelling positive practices and provides staff training in disability awareness education.

There are many government and non-government services in the Shire providing assistance for elderly residents or those with a disability. These services range from long-day care, medical services, respite, and home care to post school options and employment options. For a comprehensive list, see the Community Directory for the contact details of the various services.

A Directory of Fitness Opportunities for Seniors in the Hills has been produced by the Hills Falls Prevention Working Party Baulkham Hills Shire Council and funded by the Community Development Expenditure Scheme (CDSE) donated by the Castle Hill RSL Club and the Dural Country Club.

Directory Fitness Opportunities in the Hills - 43 KB

Access to Community Facilities

MLAK

The Master Locksmiths Access key (MLAK) is a system, which has been developed by disability groups to provide secure and safe access to accessible facilities such as toilets.

The key can be obtained from the Master Locksmiths Association of Australia on 1800 810 698. Phone Community Services on 9843 0188 or email bwhichel@bhsc.nsw.gov.au for details. Alternatively, the key may be borrowed from Council upon payment of a $20 refundable deposit.

Baulkham Hills Shire community facilities currently requiring an MLAK key for access include:

Accessible Toilets

Gooden Reserve, Gooden Drive, Winston Hills
North Rocks Park, North Rocks Road, North Rocks
Dural Information Centre, Old Northern Road, Dural
Ellerman Park, Pellit Lane, Dural
Kenthurst Park, Kenthurst
Peel Lane, Baulkham Hills
Charles McLaughlin Park, Crestwood Drive, Crestwood

Liberty Swing at Crestwood Reserve

The Liberty Swing, installed at Crestwood Reserve, is an Australian invention that enables people using wheelchairs to experience the fun and enjoyment of swinging.

This swing has become a popular activity with children using both electric and manual chairs. Following the instructions carefully, it is safe and easy to use. The swing requires a carer to ensure that the chair is attached securely and can either be pushed by the carer or, depending on the dexterity of the user, can be manually operated.

Crestwood Reserve is one of the Shire's most popular recreation areas with accessible tracks, barbecue areas and equal-access play areas including a swing with handles for lifting in and out of a wheelchair and a jungle gym with accessible ramps.

Council is regularly upgrading the accessible facilities of community buildings, parks and reserves. For information on these facilities email your query to bwhichel@bhsc.nsw.gov.au or phone Community Services 9843 0188.

Click below to access the MLAK Information and Access Notification Form:

MLAK access 0906 - 597 KB

A comprehensive list of community facilities requiring MLAK keys in Australia can be found at http://www.scia.org.au/News/scia/mlak

Physical Access Committee

The Baulkham Hills Shire Access Committee meets regularly to discuss and address physical access issues that people with disabilities face within the Shire.

Members of the committee include representatives from the community, disability services, residents and Council staff. Their role is to support and promote equitable physical access to public buildings and amenities and look into complaints and issues raised by residents of the Shire. In the past these have included concerns about footpaths, accessible parking, kerbing, and access to community facilities or public buildings. The Access Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of Council's Disability Action Plan.

What can you do?

If you are interested in being part of the Access Committee contact Community Planning - Community Planning Coordinator, Gaynor Corfield on 9843 0361 or gcorfield@bhsc.nsw.gov.au

Should you have any concerns regarding access click below to complete a form:

Access Notification Form PDF - 44 KB or you can complete the form online.

Discrimination Act Brochure - 386 KB