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BEACH ACCESSIBILITY

Approximately 17% of the population of Hobsons Bay live with a disability of some sort. This represents more than 15,000 people and, whilst this may take many forms, the biggest challenge for the vast majority of people living with a disability is attempting to live a normal, engaging and spontaneous life in a world often designed by able-bodied people, for able-bodied people.

 

Altona Life Saving Club is proud to have partnered with Hobsons Bay City Council to trial the use of a beach accessible wheelchair for visitors to Altona beach during the 2015/2016 summer period.

 

The trial was an overwhelming success and Council is working towards creating two fully accessible beaches by 2020.  ALSC have offered our support to make this happen.

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With support from Altona Life Saving Club,  Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club and local traders, Council will provide beach matting seven days a week on both Altona and Williamstown Beach, and free to hire beach wheelchairs available on Saturdays and Sundays during surf lifesaving club patrol hours December to end of March (12pm to 5pm).

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To book a beach wheelchair online click book a beach wheelchair or contact Council’s Metro Access and Inclusion Officer on 9932 1000, 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday or email socialplanning@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Beach Matting

Beach Matting is installed at Williamstown and Altona beach. It is available seven days a week, a first in Victoria. Anyone can use the matting, however it particularly helps people with wheelchairs, prams, walking and mobility aids to pass over the soft sand to get to the hard sand.

Beach Wheelchair

There are four types of beach wheelchairs available. 

  • Sandcruiser which is designed for adults to travel on the sand along the beach, which is available at Altona

  • Sandpiper which is designed for children to travel on the sand along the beach, which is available at Altona and Williamstown

  • MobiChair which is designed to enter the water to waist height of the support person, which is available at Altona and Williamstown

  • daVinci manual self-propelled beach wheelchair, which is available at Altona

Booking and Cost

Beach Matting is installed at Williamstown and Altona beach. It is available seven days a week, a first in Victoria. Anyone can use the matting, however, it particularly helps people with wheelchairs, prams, walking and mobility aids to pass over the soft sand to get to the hard sand.

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