The new Piara Waters Library has just missed out on a state award recognising its accessibility.
On December 3, during the week of International Day of People with Disability, The City of Armadale was given a shout out by Disability Services Minister Don Punch for its commitment to accessibility in public design, and was named a runner up in the 2024 Most Accessible Communities in WA (MACWA) Awards.
The judges said the city demonstrated inclusive design by altering the library’s plans to include an auto opening door for a universally accessible toilet, lower shelving, increasing width of aisles between shelves, and ‘lip free’ access throughout the entire library building.
A total of 31 local governments submitted applications to the 2024 MACWA Awards.
The Piara Water Library was entered into the ‘Major Infrastructure Over $1 million’ category, and was just pipped at the post by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River for their Nala Waabi Mia Margaret River Recreation Centre.
The overall winner was the Shire of Pingelly for their accessibility improvements to council buildings and facilities.
Former City of Armadale councillor and MACWA Awards ambassador Melissa Northcott said the awards “recognise those cities, towns and shires who demonstrate that they have exceeded minimum legislative requirements with a creative and innovative approach”.
“This provides awareness of the work being done to ensure that people with disability, their families and carers are welcomed, included and catered for in the community,” she said.
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