Access granted: Beach wheelchairs to become Fishos fixture

Torquay Angling Club will store the beach wheelchairs at its clubhouse from Sunday after a donation from Jan Juc Surf Lifesaving Club.

Jan Juc SLSC has two chairs that it uses for water programs for all-abilities children, but only uses the equipment for a few days in an average year.

The chairs are fitted with specially made tyres that can easily travel over sand and have flotation devices that enable users to enter the water.

The donation had been in planning before a COVID-enforced delay, but a social media post last week prompted a revisit to the idea.

A local mother’s post about her son’s difficulty accessing the beach and an ensuing groundswell of public support struck a chord with Jan Juc SLSC member and former president Steve Jewson, who arranged with the angling club to keep one of the chairs at Fishos full-time.

“From next Sunday the chair will be kept at the angling club, so the beach is accessible all the time,” Mr Jewson said.

“We saw the opportunity to do something, and we’re just making it happen.”

The same post also resonated with Torquay woman Julie Morris, who has lived experience of access concerns because of her mum’s mobility issues.

“Every time I go for a walk down Fishos I think of how much she would absolutely love to have a swim at the beach, a simple pleasure that she’s spent her whole life doing, but it just wouldn’t be possible,” Ms Morris said.

Ms Morris said the outpouring of support on the issue showed her views were representative of the wider community, which was eager to see improvement at local landmarks.

“It’s never been more high-profile than it is now, and we really need to do better for people with disabilities,” she said.

Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA), which manages the temporary access ramps, said it carried out inspections twice weekly and following storms, and that easterly winds had blown extra sand toward the ramps last weekend.

“Staffing challenges due to COVID-19 are impacting our patrols, however we remain committed to ensuring our public spaces are accessible for all,” the Authority said.

GORCAPA said it had since cleared loose sand and applied gravel to the ramp, and was trialling a mechanical sweeper to improve efficiency.

Meanwhile, planned upgrades of the Fishos precinct could deliver permanent solutions for beach access.

GORCAPA said it had begun works for installation of a permanent all-abilities ramp alongside carpark resealing, and would consult the community and stakeholders as part of its planning process.

The Authority also provides access amenities at Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay beaches, and works alongside Surf Coast Shire Council’s rural access and inclusion officer to co-ordinate measures.