Beach-goers of all abilities will be able to enjoy time in the sand and surf with Bundaberg Regional Council set to fund beach disability access.
As part of the 2021-22 Council budget, Council has proposed to allocate more than $30,000 to a Mobi-Chair, beach matting and beach matting roll and stow for the community to use for free.
The Mobi-Chair is designed with a folding frame and large inflatable wheels and arm rests that allow the device to become buoyant in the water.
The funding would be enough to secure the equipment, with Council to work with CQUniversity researcher Sasha Job and other key stakeholders to deliver the disability beach access within the next 12 months.
Bundaberg Region Mayor Jack Dempsey said the project funding had come to fruition after Sasha's most recent study The U-Beach: Tides of Change had shone a spotlight on the importance of beach accessibility.
“Like Sasha, I believe the beach is a wonderful place that everyone should be able to enjoy,” he said.
“With the addition of this new equipment, people of all abilities, including those with mobility limitations and the elderly, will have the opportunity to visit our beautiful beaches.
“We know that spending time in the great outdoors is imperative to keeping our mental health in check and this new equipment will ensure no one misses out on the positive feeling a day at our beautiful beach areas offer.”
All ability access to the beach has been the subject of Sasha's study for the past year, with the Bundaberg researcher collating data from local residents living with a disability to determine ways to enhance their lives through movement.
Sasha said U-Beach aimed to break down the participation and social challenges associated with beach access and provide physical activity opportunities for everyone.
“Through innovative, inclusive and supportive strategies we are able to provide beach accessibility and support flexible options for physical activity that meet the needs of diverse lifestyles, abilities, and interests,” she said.
“It will be an honour to welcome all individuals to our beautiful beaches and to witness the pure joy on their faces.
“After all, research demonstrates that green spaces improve happiness, general well-being, health and brain function.”
U-Beach is a project driven by CQUniversity, in collaboration with Bundaberg Regional Council, Surf Lifesaving Queensland, Community Lifestyle Support, and Rotary Bundaberg Region, as well as local education providers and sporting clubs.
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Question isn’t there a beach chair already available there a donated one two would be good then but how do you get a person who can’t walk from one chair to another are there hoists there unless you physically lift them just a thought. Good to see jack on the disability band wagon for a change hope it stays that way too much political bs when the ndis was first proposed for qld???