Mobility beach access ramps opens

‘Count Me In’ Regional Ambassador Chris Kerr, CEO Mid West Community Living Association Angie Phillips, Geraldton Manager Disability Services Commission Sheena Byrne and Mayor Shane Van Styn test drive the new ramp.

Access to the beach and ocean for people just got a whole lot easier with the long awaited completion of the mobility beach access ramp at Town Beach.
 
The specially designed beach wheelchair ramp, which is engineered to counteract erosion from the sea, features a slip resistant concrete path and stainless steel handrails that extend down to the high water mark on the beach is also surrounded by newly planted coastal seedlings.
 
Located across from the basketball half court, the ramp has been placed in close proximity to the recently refurbished toilet block in the Youth Precinct, which conveniently houses the new beach wheelchair in the first Changing Places Facility in Western Australia.
 
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the completion of the ramp is another important milestone in the City’s journey to become more accessible and inclusive.
 
“The mobility beach access ramp is another fantastic asset the City has developed that supports people with disability and their families so everyone can fully enjoy our coastal lifestyle,” he said.
 
“With all the improvements made in the past 11 months including resurfacing footpaths throughout the CBD and the soon to be completed fully accessible Francis Street Finger Jetty our City is truly on the way to becoming the greatest regional accessible City in Australia.”
 
‘Count Me In’ Regional Ambassador Chris Kerr says she’s thrilled to see all the changes taking place that are resulting a more inclusive community.
 
“This beach ramp is going to give everyone, regardless of their level of ability, much better access to the beach than we’ve ever had before in Geraldton,” she said.
 
“I’m really excited about getting into the water and look forward to trying out the new beach wheelchair too.”
 
The $285,000 project was partially funded by the Disability Services Commission, a grant funding program administered by the Western Australian Local Government Association contributing $50,000.