This new Tweed beach wheelchair works like a car share

TWEED Shire Council has launched a self-service beach wheelchair at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, giving people with limited mobility flexible, on-site access to the water.

There are other beach wheelchairs already operating along the Tweed Coast, but they require volunteer assistance.

This new wheelchair is the first in the shire that can be booked and accessed directly on-site by users via a personal PIN code.

The launch follows International Wheelchair Day and marks council’s ongoing commitment to expanding access under the Tweed Access and Inclusion Plan, with other improvements applied at places like Dry Dock Boat Ramp.

More than 7,200 Tweed Shire residents require help with daily activities, so these improvements are expected to benefit a significant portion of the local community.

 

 

Tweed mayor Chris Cherry said she was thrilled by the new level of autonomy the wheelchair would provide for users of the harbour.

“It means that we can ensure that people with different abilities don’t have to have different lives and that’s a really important thing,” Cherry said.

The new service builds on council’s broader push to make public spaces more inclusive.

“Every time we try and build a new piece of infrastructure, we ask is this welcoming for everyone?” Cherry said.

The popular waterfront destination, known for its calm conditions and natural beauty, was an ideal setting for the new service.

“I think we’ve got so many people here in the Tweed that are going to make use of this, because of its quiet water, its magnificent backdrop, and the fact that it’s a really safe place,” Cherry said.

“Just being able to feel the water, and to have that experience when you’re not normally able to is such a positive thing.”

The mayor said council hopes to roll out more self-service wheelchairs across local beaches in the future.

“This is our first one, but it’s not going to be our last, I’m sure,” she said.

 

 

Local support worker Deb Williams said the new wheelchair would make a meaningful difference for her and her clients.

“It’s so good to be able to bring the clients down to experience what many take for granted, especially for those that love to get in the water,” Williams said.

“And now, other than just swimming pools, they can get into the rivers and the beaches.”

The chair can be used on sand, pathways and in the water, and is suitable for both adults and children.

As with all council beach access equipment, a support person is required.

This person must be a water-capable adult who can provide support at all times.

Users must supply their own life jacket, and the chair should only be used in the water up to seat level.

The beach wheelchair is free to use and can be booked online, with collection from the secure storage unit at Central Beach.