Summer callout to remind beachgoers there are 15 patrolled beaches across the Coast that provide free access to beach wheelchairs and four popular locations with beach matting this summer season.
Central Coast 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,” Mr 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 it is initiatives and services like this that are a vital part of our 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,” Ms Smith said.
“Beach Wheelchairs and Beach matting is an example of Council’s commitment to delivering and implementing actions from the DIAP.”
Only three beaches, Soldiers Beach, The Entrance Beach and North Entrance Beach won’t have beach wheelchairs currently 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 wheelchairs are available to residents and visitors for free at the following patrolled beaches:
- Avoca Beach
- Copacabana Beach
- Killcare Beach
- Lakes Beach
- Macmasters Beach
- North Avoca
- North Entrance – Access is limited due to erosion
- Ocean Beach
- Shelly Beach
- Soldiers Beach – Access is limited due to erosion
- Terrigal Beach
- The Entrance – Access is limited due to erosion
- Toowoon Bay
- Umina Beach
- Wamberal Beach
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’.
*The Disability and Inclusion Action Plan is a four-year plan consisting of strategies and actions to develop positive community attitudes and behaviours, create liveable communities, support access to meaningful employment, and improve access to services through better systems and processes for people living with a disability. A key part of the DIAP is improving access to and enjoyment of public spaces and places, including the Coast’s beaches. The latest Central Coast Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2021-2025 and Easy English version are available on the Central Coast website under ‘Strategies and Plans at www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.