City of Gold Coast rolls out inclusive initiatives at its beaches

December 3, 2021

Access / Aquatics / Recreation / Wellness /

The City of Gold Coast is investing in accessible beach infrastructure including beach wheelchairs and matting along with custom-built wheelchair accessible showers and changing rooms installed at some of their most popular beaches aimed at making the Gold Coast a more inclusive and accessible city.

Mermaid Beach is the newest location to roll out the welcome mat for beachgoers with mobility issues, in time for International Day of People with Disability.

The matting will be laid every Sunday during patrol season, thanks to Mermaid Beach SLSC and Volunteering Gold Coast volunteers. A trial, in partnership with Volunteering Gold Coast, will be established at Ian Dipple Lagoon in Labrador later this month.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said it was important everyone had the opportunity to enjoy the city’s beaches and noted “we have a formal plan (Accessible and Inclusive City Action Plan).”

Beach matting and wheelchairs are at eight other locations including Burleigh Beach, Broadwater Parklands, Kurrawa Beach, Nobby Beach, North Burleigh, Palm Beach, Surfers Paradise and Tallebudgera Creek.

The City has implemented – or is planning – these initiatives in 2021:

New Changing Places toilet facilities planned for Kurrawa Pratten Park, Robina City Parklands, Paradise Point and Tallebudgera Creek
Accessible changing rooms with bench seats, grab rails, coat hooks and wide entry doors have been installed at Kropp Park, Currumbin and North Burleigh.
Custom-built beach wheelchair accessible showers installed at Kurrawa, Burleigh Heads, North Burleigh, Main Beach, Tallebudgera Creek, Mermaid Beach and Winders Park at Currumbin
Braille ‘check-in’ QR codes used in City community centres, customer contact centres, major sporting venues and aquatic centres
Braille bin lid stickers available to assist residents to identify different bin types
Changing Places and dedicated warm water pool with ramped access for water therapy at Pimpama Sports Hub
City has supported inclusive programs and services such as Auslan tours, Changing Place facilities and new Wi-Fi hearing augmentation at HOTA Gallery.
Beach wheelchairs are available from Gold Coast Recreation and Sport and GiveAbility – free of charge.

More information here https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Services/Supporting-our-community/People-with-disability/Beach-access

6th August 2020 - Cairns Regional Council purchases beach wheelchairs and mobi mats for inclusive access

20th January 2021 - Beach access improved at Mount Martha

14th December 2020 - Torakina Beach upgraded to deliver inclusive beach access

5th February 2020 - Waverley Council improves access to Bondi Beach

9th September 2020 - Gold Coast inspires through their delivery of Surf Life Saving inclusivity

7th September 2020 - Sunshine Coast community benefits from new initiative to improve beach accessibility

10th December 2018 - Beach matting provides pathway to inclusivity

11th January 2017 - SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium helps make the beach accessible to all

27th January 2016 - Parks Victoria introduces beach wheelchair at Wilsons Promontory

27th August 2014 - Dubai unveils floating wheelchairs for beachgoers with special needs

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