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Bass Coast tests Mobi-Water floating wheelchairs to enhance accessibility for residents and visitors

Bass Coast Shire Council is launching two Mobi-Water floating wheelchairs and wheelchair mats on March 21, 2025, enhancing beach accessibility for people with mobility challenges. Free hire is available at Phillip Island locations.

By news@gippsland - 21st March 2025 - Back to News

Beaches in Bass Coast are universally loved by locals, visitors and tourists, but for many people with mobility challenges, the simple pleasure of enjoying the sun, sand and the water can turn what should be a relaxing day into a logistical challenge.

Rozalyn Fishlock, a member of the Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, recently tested the new chairs at Smiths Beach alongside Harriet Nunan, Council's Access and Equity Social Planner

Expanding beach access

From March 21, 2025, Bass Coast Shire Council is excited to launch two new Mobi-Water floating beach wheelchairs, making it easier for people with additional support needs, their families and carers to enjoy our beaches.

Designed for easy movement over sand and into the water, the amphibious wheelchairs provide a seamless transition from car parks and boardwalks to the water. Its large armrests and wheels act as flotation devices, keeping the chair buoyant. The wheelchairs will be available free for hire at Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre and Berninneit, Cowes.

To further improve accessibility, 5m of wheelchair mats will be available at each site, which can be hired independently or with wheelchairs. These mats, made from recycled plastic bottles, create a stable pathway for wheelchair users and those who require smoother access to the beach.

Enhancing beach accessibility

These new chairs complement the existing Hippocamp All-Terrain wheelchair available at the Inverloch Community Hub, which has been a valued community resource since its introduction over a decade ago.

The introduction of these chairs is the result of a collaboration between Accessible Beaches Australia, the Local Government Accessible Beaches Network, and Bass Coast Shire Council's Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

The Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee plays a vital role in shaping a more inclusive Bass Coast. It includes four community members with lived experience of disability, representatives from disability-focused organisations across Gippsland, and council representatives. Together, they provide valuable insight into the challenges faced by people with disabilities and help develop meaningful solutions.

The new Mobi-Water floating beach wheelchairs and 5 meters of wheelchair matting are available for free hire at the Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre and Bernineit, Cowes

Inclusive beach experience

Rozalyn Fishlock, an Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee member, recently "beach-tested" the new chairs at Smiths Beach on Phillip Island, sharing her experience, "It's important because we have a lot of disabled people in our shire, and a lot of visitors with disabilities come here for holidays. This is my first experience in 30 years of getting onto the beach and into the water, and the council has done wonders to bring this into our community."

While the beach wheelchairs are a significant step forward, accessible toilet facilities are just as crucial for ensuring an inclusive experience in Bass Coast. Bass Coast is home to seven Changing Places - fully accessible public toilets with extra features, such as push button entry, height adjustable adult-sized change tables, ceiling hosts, peninsula toilets and showers.

Changing Places facilities are available at Smiths Beach, the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre, Cowes Transit Centre, and Wonthaggi's Apex Park and Guide Park. Bass Coast Shire Council is committed to making our region a leader in accessible tourism, ensuring that every visitor, regardless of ability, can enjoy the incredible natural beauty of our coastline. For more information or to hire one of the new beach wheelchairs, visit our Access for All page.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com