A trial to install accessible, mobile matting at Town Beach that aims to improve access for people living with disability and mobility limitations has been announced by Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) today.
At the announcement, Mayor Adam Roberts said the four-week trial will provide "equitable access" to the sand and sea for people with mobility limitations, including families with prams and those with temporary injuries.
"One of the greatest assets we have in this region are our pristine beaches, and access to them should be available to all," Mayor Roberts said.
"The aim of the trial is to see if it enables independent and dignified access to the beach for those who use wheelchairs or mobility aids, older residents and people pushing prams.
"At the launch of Port Macquarie Hastings Community Inclusion and Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2025-2029 in December, I announced that we would begin a trial of accessible beach matting before the end of summer.
"I'd like to thank the Enable Disability Working Group for their passionate and consistent advocacy not just for the beach matting but also during the development of PMHC's disability inclusion action plan. I look forward to seeing the results of the trial."
An open tender process followed the launch of the plan, with Beach Access Australia named as the successful supplier.
Lucilla Marshall, PMHC's Group Manager of Liveable Communities, said the trial would assess the efficacy of the matting.
"What is most important is feedback from people with mobility limitations who will use the matting regularly," Ms Marshall said.
"However, we also need to trial the installation, assess the safety and operational risks, how quickly the matting can be removed during storms or high tide and where it is securely stored when not in use.
"This approach ensures we can evaluate benefits, impacts and resourcing
requirements based on evidence rather than assumption."
Ms Marshall added that core beach operations will continue as usual and lifeguards would not be responsible for installation or maintenance.
