More beachgoers will have the chance to enjoy our beautiful beachfront with a new accessible beach wheelchair (Mobi-Chair) at Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club.
The City of Greater Geelong has partnered with the Club to provide the Mobi-Chair for public use at no cost, so people with mobility challenges have more opportunities to enjoy a day on the sand.
The chair is designed to provide a seamless beach experience, allowing users to move easily from the car park to the sand and into the water. The large armrests and wheels act as a flotation device.
The Mobi-Chair is available for people of all ages with mobility challenges or additional support needs. I encourage anyone who wants to use the chair to speak to Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club members.
This is the third Mobi-Chair that the City has delivered to support accessibility to our beaches, with beach wheelchairs also available at Eastern Beach public pool and Indented Head Boat Club.
It is fantastic to see this initiative on the ocean-side of the Bellarine for more people in the region to enjoy.
In an area that boasts such breathtaking coastal landmarks and diverse natural wonders, it’s critical that we make accessibility a priority so that all can enjoy the beauty of the Bellarine.
More than 54,000 people in Greater Geelong live with a disability, making up 22.1 per cent of our population.
As a council we are committed to improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
The City of Greater Geelong’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2024-28 details a range of projects we are undertaking to reduce and remove barriers experienced by people with a disability.
Through community consultation, this plan is designed to meet the needs of people living with a disability in Geelong.
Improved physical access to buildings, facilities and public spaces – like beaches – in Greater Geelong was identified as one of the six main themes in the plan.
One example provided was how beaches may be considered accessible with pathways to sand, but not necessarily access to water, or the whole beach experience.
I am thrilled to see these concerns being addressed with practical solutions that our entire community will now benefit from.
As a council, we’re also seeking to increase accessibility for our events and services and improve our communication with people with disability.
We acknowledge that engaging with people with disability will result in improved facilities and services that meet their needs.
The insight we have gained through this sort of consultation so far has been invaluable.
While the Mobi-Chair is a fantastic step in improved accessibility, we understand we still have plenty of work to do to ensure that Greater Geelong’s beaches, parks and beautiful public spaces can be enjoyed by all.
I look forward to seeing the Mobi-Chair being put to good use so that more people can enjoy our beautiful beach at Ocean Grove.
