Late last year Carers ACT and Advocacy for Inclusion made a joint submission to the ACT Legislative Assembly Inquiry into the Provision of Municipal Services in Canberra.
The submission describes how unsafe footpaths, inaccessible playgrounds and public facilities, long or difficult transport journeys and waste services that do not reflect the needs of carers and people with disability all create barriers that compound over time. These issues undermine confidence, limit opportunities to connect with others and place added strain on households already managing complex demands.
We argue that improving how municipal services are planned and delivered would have a meaningful impact on the daily lives of carers and people with disability. The submission calls for continuous stocktake, monitoring and upgrade of public spaces, with a focus on playgrounds, local shops and active travel infrastructure. It also highlights the need for waste removal approaches to consider the needs of people with disability.
AFI and Carers ACT gave evidence to the Inquiry before the Standing Committee on Transport and City Services on 19 February 2026.
For more detail, you can download the full submission below.