Central Coast Home & Lifestyle Summer 2024

Beach wheelchairs and matting makes life easier on the coast. T o improve access and inclusion for people with limited mobility or living with a disability, Council provides beach wheelchairs at 13 beaches and has installed beach matting at four popular locations this Summer. Beach wheelchairs - Council has a suite of beach wheelchairs available for free hire for residents and visitors at the following patrolled beaches: Avoca Beach, Copacabana Beach, Killcare Beach, Lakes Beach, Macmasters Beach, Ocean Beach (Umina), Shelly Beach, Soldiers Beach, Terrigal Beach, The Entrance, Toowoon Bay, Wamberal Beach. To accommodate varied needs, there are three models of beach wheelchairs including the Sand Cruiser (available at all above locations), plus the Hippocampe and Water Wheel (at selected suitable locations). While beach wheelchair hire can be arranged on site through the lifeguards at individual Surf Life Saving Clubs, online bookings are highly encouraged to ensure the preferred model of beach wheelchair is available. This is also the best way to arrange relocation of beach wheelchairs for individual or group bookings in advance. Beach matting - has been installed at Toowoon Bay, Umina Beach, Ocean Beach and Terrigal Beach to improve access for people who are less mobile and living with a disability. These beaches have been chosen because erosion is low to moderate, and they are relatively flat. The bright, blue matting is rolled out and secured over the sand and usable by all beach goers providing a stable, non-slip, cool surface particularly for people who may use wheelchairs, mobility aids, or prams to have easier access across the sand. To book a beach wheelchair or for more information go to: website centralcoast.nsw.gov.au and search ‘beach accessibility’ Phone: 4306 7900

6 Home & Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2024