Beach Mats Installed

Published on 26 March 2025

Council, in partnership with the Borough’s Lived Experience Disability Group (LEDG – the LEDGends) is working to improve access to our beaches for residents and visitors with mobility impairments.

One action we’ve undertaken is a trial installation of beach access matting off the end of the Tandberg boardwalk, between the Searoad Ferries terminal and the Queenscliff pier.

The mats allow people dependant on mobility aids to move off the paths and onto sand and safely into the water. They are commonly used with specialised equipment such as ‘beach wheelchairs’ but can help a variety of people gain beach access, from those with walkers to those with prams.

Anyone can walk along them, wheel their pram, wheelie walker or beach trolley along them, however we don’t recommend using a motorised mobility scooter as there isn’t sufficient room to turn around at the end of the mat.

Accessible toilets have also been installed near the beach matts and will remain in place until the end of the trial.

As part of the current trial, Council is offering two ‘come and try days’ where extra equipment will be available for those with limited mobility to have improved access to the sea.

On Saturday the 29th of March and Friday the 11th of April between 10 am and 2 pm, all terrain wheelie walkers and a sand-cruiser wheelchair will be available to try out. In addition, a mobile sea access ramp will be available on Friday the 11th to allow access into the water.

Bookings are required for these sessions, so call the Aged Care team on 5258 4132.

This trial will enable us to learn how these mats perform in our local setting with its specific tides, winds and sand movements including king tides and storms and the regular variations in beach sand on our local beaches

Council in conjunction with the LEDG will will evaluate the location, people’s experiences with the mats and how access can be improved as part of this trial.

The mats will remain in place until the end of April 2025. Council looks forward to continuing our work with the LEDG to make the Borough more accessible to all.