General News
17 January, 2024
Plea to support accessible beach project
A PORT Campbell group has called for community support to ensure those living with a disability can enjoy a day at the beach.
The committee behind the Port Campbell Accessible Beaches Initiative Project (PCABIP) wants to see Port Campbell beach and the foreshore made accessible through the much-needed installation of a fully accessible ramp, with beach matting leading to the water’s edge.
The PCABIP committee has been working hard since its formation in 2021 to raise awareness for the ramp, which will support the burgeoning tourist destination accessible to all community members, including parents with prams, senior citizens and disabled members.
As Western District Newspapers previously reported, the Port Campbell Surf Lifesaving Club hosted ‘Accessible Beaches Day’ in early December, which drew dozens of members from the community to enjoy a day at the beach despite living with a disability.
The PCABIP project was also launched to the wider community on the day with a presentation delivered by project committee member Brendan Hyland, who outlined the importance of inclusion and equity for all community members.
“The response from everyone has been overwhelming, and extremely positive,” he said.
“We know 16 per cent of the population is currently over the age of sixty-five, and 13 per cent of our population in the south west is living with some form of disability.
“These facts alone highlight the need for an access ramp at Port Campbell.”
Mr Hyland advocated for all to be mindful that “an inclusive community is a healthy community with the benefits of physical, mental, and social health not being solely for those who are able bodied but also for those that are not or have other imposed barriers”.
“Some of these barriers to beach access include people with prams and walking frames,” he said.
“Increased tourism generated by the beach being fully accessible and inclusive would have a large beneficial economic impact for the region.
“And even if there wasn’t a world-renowned icon at the 12 Apostles just 10 minutes away, which attracts around 100,000 visitors over the holiday period to provide such an economic boost, inclusivity is important for all communities.
“There is no reason not to include inclusivity at the forefront of infrastructure projects.”
Mr Hyland called for the community to throw its support behind the project, and invited the community to show their support by writing letters of support.
“Ideas, and questions about the project may be submitted through the Port Campbell Community Groups’ website at https://www.portcampbell.org.au/,” he said.
Mr Hyland extended a warm thank you from the Port Campbell Accessible Beaches Initiative Project Committee to the Port Campbell Surf Lifesaving Club for its ongoing support and the invitation provided to launch the initiative during its Accessible Beaches Day.