One-woman crusade continues for all-accessible ocean pool

Elaine Norling at Avoca Beach rock pool Photo: Beth Norling

Elaine Norling of Copacabana has been on a one-woman crusade for 10 years to get an all-accessible ocean pool on the Central Coast and she’s not about to give up anytime soon.

There at least six ocean pools spanning the coastline from Pearl Beach to Norah Head and Norling said none can be accessed by those who are physically challenged.

She has now contacted all the new Central Coast councillors as well as the Coast’s State and Federal MPs asking for the issue to be addressed and for a cost study to be undertaken.

“One in five people are considered disabled, but our parking spots and ocean pool facilities do not accommodate for these numbers,” Norling said.

“For most of my life I swam in the ocean every day of the year.

“Now I just have to sit and watch.”

She has spent years researching the issue and believes the most likely place for an all-accessible pool that does not rely on the tide would be the Avoca Beach ocean pool.

Although the pool can be too shallow at times depending on tide, Norling believes it has many advantages over other coast ocean pools.

“The pool could be designed to retain the natural look with rock walls retaining water regardless of the tide,” she said.

“There is easy access and parking, and it is adjacent to lifesavers.”

While there is a ramp at Avoca, Norling said it was in the wrong spot, at the northern end, and was virtually useless.

“The Avoca all-access ramp is a joke, situated as far away from the pool as could be and mostly under cover of a thick layer of sand,” she said.

“The Entrance pool has three disabled parks for the entire Coast and is the only so called all-accessible pool at the moment.

“Swimming in the ocean is so healing.

“I used to swim every day, but it’s been three or four years since I’ve had a swim.”

Several of the new councillors have responded to her emails including Councillors Sharon Walsh, Kyle MacGregor and Trent McWaide promising to look into the situation..

A Central Coast Council spokesperson said the Grant McBride Ocean Baths at The Entrance was designed for all-ability access with three disabled parking bays available via the Boondilla Rd entry which allowed for wheelchair access into the pool complex area.

A separate wheelchair access ramp into the 23m pool and children’s wading pool was also available at the site.

The spokesperson said the two No Entry signs currently erected along Boondilla Rd were installed to deter the general public from using the disabled parking bays and Council staff have requested the signage to be updated to Disabled Parking Only.

This year Council has also installed beach matting at Toowoon Bay, Umina Beach, Ocean Beach and Terrigal Beach to improve access for people who are less mobile.

The spokesperson said those beaches were chosen because erosion was low to moderate, and they were less prone to large waves.

She said Avoca Beach rock pool was a tidal pool with water levels fluctuating with the tides.

“Council worked with the local community on the design and delivery of the Avoca Beach Southern Foreshore Upgrade works, which were completed in 2019 using a $2.8M grant from the Stronger Communities Fund,” she said.

“This upgrade has been well received by the local community and included improved access through the construction of three ramps, one being an all-access ramp at the northern end of the works. 

“Although the Avoca Beach rock pool is a modified environment, it is still considered an important marine habitat by Council and NSW Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries, and unlikely to have support for any further modification. 

“Also, any further adaption of the Avoca Beach rock pool would cost a significant amount of capital investment, substantial ongoing maintenance and running costs, and as such Council does not have any future plans for a project such as this.”

Denice Barnes

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