Mediation avoided as City of Bunbury, Bunbury Car Club agree to accessibility audit on eve of hearing

A mediation session at the Australian Human Rights Commission has been avoided at the last minute after the City of Bunbury and the Bunbury Car Club agreed to undertake an accessibility audit at the Bunbury Speedway. The late move came just two days before the mediation session was scheduled on Thursday. The man at the centre of the dispute is Peter Sears, who lives with tetraplegia and first raised the issue with a City of Bunbury councillor in April, 2023. Now more than a year later, the matter looked destined to go to a AHRC mediation session until a thawing of negotiations on Tuesday. Mr Sears welcomed the move and thanked the AHRC for its professionalism. “I know that achieving universal access and inclusion can be challenging, however, it is a basic human right,” he said. “My case has been in progress for over 12 months and I am glad that my team has stuck by me. “I now hope that the Bunbury Car Club and City of Bunbury will keep the momentum going for promoting access and inclusion at the speedway. “This outcome will hopefully also flow on to all local governments in Western Australia who have crown land vested in them or managed by them.” The City of Bunbury did not comment on Wednesday’s revelation but said on Tuesday it was working with the parties involved. “The city has been working with Bunbury Car Club and will continue to work together to have an independent, professionally accredited accessibility audit undertaken,” the city said. “Further, the city has been working with the commission as needed and looks forward to seeing their recommendations, however it would be inappropriate for the city to comment further ahead of any hearing. “The city has always been supportive of accessibility audits on buildings within Bunbury which is why the city coordinated the free accessibility audits for lessees through Advocacy WA earlier this year. “It’s important to remember, the city owns the land but any buildings are the responsibility of the lessee and the city has no enforcement power when it comes to maintenance or upgrades. “We will always encourage and support local clubs and organisations when it comes to access and inclusion as part of our commitment and aspirations outlined in our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan.” The Bunbury Car Club was contacted for comment.