People with disability will be able to enjoy more of Bunbury thanks to a new motorised, all-terrain wheelchair attachment.
The Freedom Trax attaches to a manual wheelchair and was purchased by the City of Bunbury with a $10,000 State Government grant.
As its name suggests, the Freedom Trax uses tank-like tracks instead of wheels to glide over obstacles and traverse uneven terrain, including sand, dirt tracks, grass, wood chips and gravel.
The Freedom Trax will allow people with disability to move independently and access Koombana Bay, Back Beach, the Leschenault Inlet, Mangrove Cove, Maidens Park and Manea Park, as well as surrounding trails, parks and beaches.
The device will be stored at the Dolphin Discovery Centre at Koombana Bay which is open seven days a week.
The City of Bunbury will set up a booking system for the Freedom Trax and staff at the Dolphin Discovery Centre will help users fit the device to their wheelchair.
A dozen organisations shared in $100,000, as part of a McGowan Government election commitment to increase the number of all-terrain wheelchairs in WA.
As stated by Disability Services Minister Don Punch:
"Making sure everyone has access to the outdoors and the activities that go with it is key to creating an inclusive community.
"The Freedom Trax will allow people with disability to access Bunbury's world class beaches and attractions.
"Everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful area.
"The all-terrain wheelchair grants program has proven to be very popular with local governments, surf life saving clubs and community organisations, making National Parks and beaches across WA more accessible, inclusive and welcoming for people with disability.
"Improving the availability of devices like the Freedom Trax and all-terrain wheelchairs will support people with disability to connect to their community and increase participation in recreation activities in the natural environment."
