Beach matting improves disability access to Emu Park Beach!
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Disability access on to Emu Park’s main beach has been improved just in time for the December school holidays, thanks to a collaboration between Council and Emu Park Surf Lifesaving Club.
Council extended the ramp access earlier this year, while also attaching beach access matting which was purchased, along with a beach wheelchair, by the EPSLSC through funding obtained by the Iwasaki Foundation.
According to the Livingstone Access and Inclusion Consultation 2019 document, survey respondents placed improved beach access in the top five suggestions to improve access and inclusion in their community.
Councillor Pat Eastwood, Portfolio Holder of Healthy and Inclusive Community, said the beach matting will assist people of all abilities transition from ramp to natural environment, helping people to navigate over the soft sand.
“In addition to the beach access improvements, the beach wheelchair will be available to hire from the EPSLSC. The beach wheelchair is designed to be pushed along sand and into shallow waters,” Cr Eastwood said.
“Emu Park’s main beach was a favourable location because the precinct already accommodates disability parking, connecting pathways, an accessible barbeque, a disability toilet, a patrolled beach, and also includes a cerebral palsy swing in the playground.
“This project aligns with Council’s Community Plan to support a ‘Liveable Livingstone, and to advocate for services for the wellbeing of the people of Livingstone at any age and with any ability’.
“Council would like to thank the Emu Park Surf Life Saving Club for working with Council to bring this fantastic community project to life, and to the Iwasaki Foundation for its generous funding contribution.”
Emu Park Surf Lifesaving Club member and project co-ordinator, Janene Hooton, said this was a great achievement for everyone involved.
“We all feel immensely proud that it is finally up and running,” Mrs Hooton said.
“Having access to be able to get closer to the waves, the sounds, the sea spray in the wind, is very rejuvenating and great for overall health and wellbeing.”
Chair of the Iwasaki Foundation, Desley Rial said the Iwasaki Foundation was delighted to be part of making the wonderful beaches on the Capricorn Coast accessible to those who are disabled or have restricted mobility.
“The matting will assist not only the aged and disabled who have difficulty accessing the beach through sand, but those with restricted mobility, perhaps recovering from hip or knee surgery, and also those pushing prams or wheeled walkers,” Mrs Rial said.
The beach wheelchair is also available for use to complement the improved beach access.
Councillors will be asked to support a motion from Mayor Andy Ireland at the upcoming Ordinary Council Meeting on 21 December, to request officers to undertake an audit of mainland beach accesses.
The motion will request officers to provide a report on potential locations for disabled accesses to beaches between Bangalee and Keppel Sands that are deemed safe and suitable for disabled access.