Enjoying Ocean Grove Beach has never been easier for people with mobility challenges now Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club (OGSLSC) has an accessible beach wheelchair for public use.
Provided by the City of Greater Geelong to OGSLSC, the new MobiChair is free to use by community members and visitors to the beach.
The chair allows users of all ages to move easily from the car park to the beach and into the water, with large armrests that also serve as flotation devices.
It is the third MobiChair provided to local beaches by the City, with existing chairs at Eastern Beach public pool and the Indented Head Boat Club, but the first to be made available in the region at an ocean beach.
The MobiChair is part of a bigger push to increase accessibility at Ocean Grove Beach.
A sealed ramp provides easier access to the beach, while construction on a Changing Places facility with a tracking hoist and accessible bathroom, delivered in partnership by the Victorian government and Barwon Coast Committee of Management, began in late February.
Connewarre Ward councillor Elise Wilkinson said it was wonderful the City’s partnership with OGSLSC could provide the MobiChair to the community.
“The partnership and this initiative is a small but meaningful step that enables our beaches to be more accessible and inclusive for all residents and visitors,” Cr Wilkinson said.
“It’s been such a great collaboration, including life jackets donated by the Ocean Grove Disabled Surfers Association, and accessible toilets managed by Barwon Coast Committee of Management Inc.”
