Disabled surfers critical of Council inclusion plan

The Disabled Surfers' Association of Australia has delivered a critical assessment of the disability inclusion plan adopted by Central Coast Council.

National president Mr Gary Blaschke said that upgrades needed at Ocean Beach and at the Woy Woy tidal baths were completely disregarded.

He said the association proposed a dedicated disability precinct at Umina which would have provided those with disability with a holiday and recreational location with a "safe, flat beach profile, parking facilities and patrolled beaches".

Mr Blaschke said the Umina precinct would have also delivered flat access to the nearby shopping centre, reasonably accessible parklands and close proximity to facilities such as Riding for the Disabled.

He said Ocean Beach was one of the top contenders for an inclusive and accessible precinct based on existing infrastructure and the parking and council services provided.

Before it could be developed as a disability precinct, according to Mr Blaschke, the beach would need improved shelters, toilets, parking, pathways, signage and training for Council lifeguards on disability requirements.

He said he did not believe the current Disability Inclusion Plan would go any way to addressing issues such as limited access to playgrounds for children with disabilities, a shortage of appropriate accessible toilets, car parking and an "extreme shortage" of appropriate adult changing facilities.

Mr Blaschke said that it was not the community that objected to providing facilities for people with a disability, but the council.

"The Council itself stifles forward thinking, fails to encourage community involvement in progressive projects and places barriers before advocacy groups if their opinion differs from Council's."

He said Central Coast Council had shown "disregard for a specific disability inclusion budget for any proposals outside the annual operational plan".

Mr Blaschke said he had been attempting to provide assistance to Central Coast Council and the former Gosford Council to improve its inclusion for many years.

The Disabled Surfers Association will be holding its next Smiles on Dials days at Umina Beach on Saturday, November 4 and then in the new year, on Saturday, February 3.

SOURCE:

Media release, 17 Aug 2017

Gary Blaschke, Disabled Surfers Association of Australia

Website, 17 Aug 2017

Disabledsurfers.org