New disability access facility to be built at Pondage Participants in the Sailability Gippsland Program are to benefit from a new access facility being provided at Hazelwood Pondage By Latrobe City Council - 14th June 2001 - Back to News Participants in the Sailability Gippsland Program are to benefit from a new access facility being provided at Hazelwood Pondage. The existing Yacht Club Jetty is being extended and will incorporate a new water-side launching platform complete with lifting hoists and handrails, to assist Gippslanders who use the program.
In presenting a $19,445 Sport and Recreation Victoria Minor Facilities Grant on Friday to Sailability's organiser and Access for All Abilities Coordinator, Andrew Redston, the Minister for Agriculture and Aboriginal Affairs, Keith Hamilton, said the new launch facility would allow many more users to participate in an innovative program which was delivering a new level of confidence and skills to people with a disability.
"Sailability Gippsland is providing people of all ages and of all abilities with a program that allows them to participate in sailing, an exciting and challenging sport that helps them to develop new skills and builds on their abilities, providing them with an enormous amount of satisfaction and self confidence," Mr Hamilton said.
Access for All Abilities Coordinator, Andrew Redston, from Quantum / CGASS, said the facility would create a safe, readily accessible entry point into the water and allow participants in the program to become more active regardless of their ability.
"Due to the construction of the boats used and the nature of the various disability types, vessels need to be lifted out of the water so that people can get in and out of the craft. This process raises some safety and dignity concerns, not just with the user groups, but it also places unnecessary stress on volunteers when transferring individuals and then carrying the craft with the sailor seated, back to the water," Mr Redston explained.
"The new facility will incorporate an extension to the jetty complete with wheelchair graded safe access, safety rails, and a hoist which can launch and retrieve craft together with their sailors, directly into and from the water," Mr Redston said.
The balance of the $30,000 needed for the project is being met by a grant from Latrobe City Council, a donation from Moe's Friends of the Disabled, and any money we can raise from other donations. We have still some way to go to fully fund the project, and any other assisted from the community would be well appreciate" Mr Redston said.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins, said that Council had been highly supportive of the Sailability program saying the new launching facility would maximise the delivery of the sailing program for people with a disability.
"Council has made a commitment to the community in having all Council owned or managed facilities accessible to all members of the community regardless of ability. Through our Disability Action Plan we are putting into place many strategies that improve access to facilities, such as the upgrade to the pool at the Moe and Newborough Sport Centre, and we encourage other organisations within Latrobe to evaluate what they can do to provide increased access," Cr Jenkins said.
"This program goes beyond just providing easier access to recreation facilities. Sailability Gippsland has thought beyond conventional boundaries and through specifically adapting craft and facilities they have delivered new recreational opportunities to people with a disability.
"It is not just the Citizens of Latrobe who are benefiting from the Sailability program; participants are coming from five surrounding municipalities, and these improvements will now mean that the facility at Hazelwood Pondage has the potential to attract State and possibly National disability sailing events," Cr Jenkins added.
"We congratulate Quantum / CGASS on their successful project application and consequent funding, and their ongoing commitment to a highly commendable program. I would also like to congratulate the Latrobe Valley Yacht Club, Hazelwood Power, and the many volunteers who have made this program the success it is today," Cr Jenkins concluded.
For more information on the Sailability program, contact Andrew Redston, telephone 5174 5961
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com
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