Paralympian’s decade-long fight for beach access pays off

A FORMER Paralympian and Anglesea resident is celebrating the installation of a beach accessibility mat at Point Roadknight Beach after ten years of advocacy.

Elle Steele has spent years lobbying the Surf Coast Shire, communicating with local bodies and contesting the parking fines that followed her attempts to reach the water.

She said improved access at the popular beach had been a long time coming.

“It feels very special and kind of surreal at the same time… I had a good sob.”

The mat extends from the beach’s disabled car park to the boat ramp, providing access all the way to the water.

“It’s amazing because I can park my car, push on the blue mat and then onto the ramp,” Steele said.

“I’ve got aging parents so it’s wonderful for them to know that I can get down there if I want to.”

The beach mat is part of a broader accessibility initiative coordinated by the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (the Authority), made possible by a Universal Design grant provided by the state government.

“My main concern around advocacy is for people with disabilities who don’t have the support networks that I do,” Steele said.

“I had this big group around me that could help me but there are lots of people with disabilities who don’t have the support for advocacy and you’re continually having this message sent to you that you’re not worthy of being able to enjoy your surroundings like everyone else.”

 

As part of the initiative, access mats have also been installed at Fishermans Beach in Torquay, Lorne Beach and Apollo Bay Main Beach.

Beach wheelchairs are also available for hire.

Along the Anglesea Riverbank, matting designed for people who may experience sensory overload in busier areas has similarly been installed.

The funding for the initiative was secured by the Authority’s coastal reserves manager, Caleb Hurrell.

He said seeing the impact improved accessibility had already had on the community, made him “quite emotional”.

“It brings a tear to my eye because people get left behind so often.

“Access and inclusion is so important.

“We think everyone deserves to be able to access the beach and enjoy nature.”

The beach mats will be installed every year at each location from early January to mid-April.

Wild weather and large winter swells mean the mats are unable to be left in place all year round.

“It’s just nice to actually leave a legacy,” Steele said.

“I know that that mat is there because I spoke up.

“To see something in your physical environment actually change because of something that you have said, it’s life changing.”

To provide your own feedback on the Anglesea beach accessibility initiative, visit haveyoursay.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/improving-anglesea-beach-accessibility