Access Denied!

Story by Darren Brewer

One of the fantastic things about living in the sunshine state is getting out and about and enjoying a relaxing day at the beach. That is, unless you are one of many Queenslanders who require the use of a wheelchair or walker to get around.

While the Moreton Bay City Council has been in caretaker mode over the last few weeks, due to the recent local government elections, the lack of care, and disregard for disabled citizens and visitors to the facility at Suttons beach has never been so evident.

For some time now the specially designed access ramp has been neglected by council leaving the ramp and associated matting covered with thick layers of sand and debris making wheelchair use imposable.

When the matting was first placed on Suttons beach Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery boasted that “This is an historic day for the Redcliffe Peninsula because, for the first time, there are no barriers to anyone enjoying our iconic waterfront sands” and “Access to the matting is provided all the way from the carpark via the newly constructed access ramp from the main pathway, so anyone with a pram or a walker or a wheelchair will have no troubles.”

No troubles indeed, unless the facility is forgotten about and not maintained.

One regular user of the area said that "Council really need to ensure that the ramp and mats are clear from obstruction at all times. If it is not usable then Queenslanders with disability will continue to be denied their day at the beach."

The issue has been reported to council on multiple occasions since late last year via the ‘Snap Send Solve app with no council action resulting to date.

The very nature and location of the Suttons beach disability access ramp suggests that the facility needs daily monitoring by council to ensure access has not been impeded by tides and shifting sands.

Helen, a Margate resident said “It’s not good enough, my son is in a wheelchair, I vote and pay my rates the same as everyone else. Why should my son not have access to the beach just because the council neglects this facility? With another saying, “Can you imagine coming here as a tourist? And you choose to come here because you are told that Suttons beach has a disability access ramp and matting, only to finding masses of sand and debris all over the ramp so you can't use it, it’s embarrassing.”

Regular visitors to the area are encouraged to use the Snap Send Solve app or contact council to report any issues found to be restricting disabled access to the ramp, beach and surrounding areas.

#moretonbay #suttonsbeach #disabilityinclusion #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #acccessiblebeach #moretonbaycitycouncil #moretonbayregion #communitysupport #localgovernment #DisabilityRightsAreHumanRights #disabilityadvocate