Town Beach gets mobility beach access ramp

Regional Ambassador for of ‘Count Me In’ Chris Kerr on site where the mobility beach access ramp will be constructed at Town Beach.

Access to Town Beach is about to get a whole lot easier for people with mobility impairments as construction of the long awaited mobility beach access ramp begins on 29 March 2016. 

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the wheelchair ramp not only provides additional amenity to the Foreshore it also links the ocean to the recently refurbished Town Beach toilet block. 

“The construction of the beach wheelchair ramp provides an important link between the Town Beach toilet block located in the Youth Precinct and the sea,” he said 

“The recently opened toilet block, which is the first Changing Places Facility in Western Australia, features a hoist, an adjustable adult change table and toilet and shower facilities. 

“Once construction of the mobility beach access ramp is complete everyone, regardless of their level of ability, will be able to enjoy the ocean.” 

The beach wheelchair ramp, which will be built on the western side of the Town Beach groyne across from the basketball half court, is specifically designed and engineered to counteract erosion from the sea. The path will feature stainless steel handrails for users down to the high water mark on the beach. 

The contract to build the ramp was awarded to Neo Infrastructure a leading civil construction services company highly experienced in building marine infrastructure and coastal facilities. 

A beach wheelchair currently stored at the Two Foreshore Café is available for use by contacting the City. 

The $285,000 project is partially funded by the Disability Services Commission, a grant funding program administered by the Western Australian Local Government Association contributing $50,000 (Inc GST).