Central Coast Council is determined to make our beaches accessible to everyone this summer, with free access to beach wheelchairs at 12 of the 15 patrolled beaches in the region and beach matting available at four locations.
Council Administrator, Rik Hart said it’s important to ensure that everyone in our community and visitors are equally able to enjoy what the Central Coast has to offer.
“Heading to the beach is a major part of our community’s lifestyle in the summer and is a huge asset that attracts visitors to our region each year,” Hart said.
“Being able to access the shoreline for a swim and enjoying our beaches is a key priority people with disability and reduced mobility continually tell us.
“Providing beach wheelchairs and beach matting to improve access is a step towards ensuring everyone can enjoy our coastline this summer season.
“This service not only improves access and inclusion for people in the community living with a disability, but also enables others with limited mobility, or even parents with prams, to access the sand and water – allowing summer fun for everyone”.
Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith, said initiatives and services like these are a vital part of the Disability and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP).
“The DIAP is about creating opportunities for people with a disability where all people feel welcome and can participate in community life, including visitors,” Smith said.
“(Providing) beach wheelchairs and matting is an example of Council’s commitment to delivering and implementing actions from the DIAP.”
Beach wheelchairs are available free at: Avoca Beach; Copacabana Beach; Killcare Beach; Lakes Beach; Macmasters Beach; North Avoca; Ocean Beach; Shelly Beach; Terrigal Beach; Toowoon Bay; Umina Beach; and Wamberal Beach.
Only three beaches – Soldiers Beach, The Entrance Beach and North Entrance Beach – won’t have beach wheelchairs available due to severe beach erosion from recent storm events and large swell fronts.
Council continually monitors all its patrolled beach locations and is undertaking ongoing repairs to these assets throughout the summer.
Beach matting is available at Toowoon Bay, Umina Beach, Ocean Beach and Terrigal Beach providing a stable non-slip, cool surface to enable easier access to the sand and water’s edge to those who may use wheelchairs, mobility aids, or prams.
To book a beach wheelchair online or for more information go Council’s website centralcoast.nsw.gov.au and search ‘beach accessibility’.
Source:
Media release, Dec 22
Central Coast Council