Tears, cheers and careful first steps into the shallows marked the launch of Frankston’s new accessible beach pilot on Friday afternoon, as residents used ramps, beach matting and wheelchairs to reach the bay in ways that had not been possible before.
The Frankston accessible beach pilot aims to turn the foreshore between Frankston Pier and Kananook Creek into one of the most accessible beach precincts in Australia for people with disability, older residents and anyone who has previously found the sand out of reach. STPL News was on the scene at the launch to photograph some of the first participants entering the water.
Launch brings community to the water
The launch at Frankston Foreshore began about 1 pm and drew a mix of community members, disability advocates, supporters and officials for the start of the three month trial.
Federal Member for Dunkley Jodie Belyea, State Member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke, interim Frankston City Council chief executive Cam Arullanantham, Mayor Cr Kris Bolam, Cr Nathan Butler and Accessible Beaches Australia founder Shane Hryhorec were among those who spoke.
This is not just a Frankston City Council pilot, but it is for everyone.
Mayor Kris Bolam told the crowd the project was designed to serve a much broader community than Frankston alone. He said council wanted to lift beach accessibility so that more people could enjoy what he described as one of the city’s most important public spaces.
Frankston is transforming from a seaside town to a vibrant coastal city that embraces diversity and inclusivity. That is why we are taking beach accessibility to the next level, to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy our most prized asset.
He said council hoped the pilot would become a spark for similar accessible beach programmes in other parts of Australia.
Local leadership and national ambition
Shane Hryhorec, who founded Accessible Beaches Australia after a spinal cord injury, used his speech to underline the role of local leadership in getting the trial off the ground.
It is because of this amazing person, your mayor, that this has happened today.
He said he was first inspired after seeing a fully accessible beach while travelling in Europe, where people with disability and older residents could move from the promenade to the water with confidence. When he returned to Australia, he contacted Cr Bolam and the pair agreed Frankston should work towards a similar model, with the local pilot now intended to set a standard other Australian beaches can follow.
This is going to change the way our country thinks about beaches forever. It will have a massive impact on people of all ages and abilities, from aged care residents to families and people who use wheelchairs, giving everyone the freedom and dignity to enjoy the coastline on their terms.
Community collaboration behind the pilot
Chair of the Australia’s Most Accessible Beach Advisory Committee, Cr Nathan Butler, said the pilot was the result of years of work by advocates, service groups, council officers and partners.
The success of this initiative comes down to community organisations, local council, service groups and local leaders working together to deliver outcomes that are bigger, bolder and more inclusive than any of us could achieve alone.
Cr Butler thanked advisory committee members, volunteers, council staff, sponsors and local supporters, and urged residents and visitors to test the accessible beach facilities over summer.
Residents describe life changing access
For many who attended, the focus was on what the changes meant in everyday terms.
Frankston Age Friendly Ambassador and advisory committee member Chris Wiggett said the new set up had allowed her to return to the water after years of staying away.
Last time I was knocked over which frightened me. This morning a volunteer helped me down to the water. I put my feet in and walked along the sand, and I cried, because it was the first time in years I could do that.
Another local participant, Carly Burns, said the extra access had already changed how she could use the beach.
I love being at the beach but I could never get past the concrete. I will definitely be coming back this summer.
Cr Bolam said comments like those showed why the work mattered.
Hearing families say this is the first time they will be able to visit the beach together is incredibly moving. That is the real success of today.
First use of ramps, matting and beach wheelchairs
Formalities wrapped up shortly after 2 pm. Once speeches finished, many attendees headed down the new ramps and matting to try out the equipment and enter the water.
Cr Butler helped several participants as they made their way into the shallows and also joined them in the bay, taking advantage of the calm conditions and warm afternoon that made it ideal for a swim.
How the Frankston accessible beach pilot works
The accessible section of Frankston Beach sits between Frankston Pier and the mouth of Kananook Creek. It includes a long strip of beach matting laid across the sand, shaded seating, several beach wheelchairs and walkers, and a hoist to assist with transfers. Trained staff and volunteers are on hand during set operating hours to support visitors down to the water.
Key features of the accessible beach set up
The accessible beach site includes:
- About 70 metres of beach matting running across the sand and to the water’s edge
- Shaded CoolCabana shelters with daybeds and lounge seating
- Multiple beach wheelchairs and beach walkers available on site
- A hoist to support safe transfers between wheelchairs and beach equipment
- Trained paid staff and volunteers working alongside Life Saving Victoria patrols
Operating days, times and bookings
Across summer the accessible beach service will operate on:
- Days: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
- Hours: 10.30 am to 2.30 pm
- Dates: From 6 December to 28 February, excluding Christmas Day and the Frankston Waterfront Festival weekend
The service is free, but bookings are recommended so visitors can reserve a shaded cabana and equipment for a set session time. Booking slots open two weeks in advance and allow participants to secure a two lounge cabana for one hour and 45 minutes.
Council has also produced an access guide, equipment overview, social story and communication board to help visitors plan their trip and understand what to expect when they arrive. Separate arrangements are available for aged care homes, disability service providers and specialist schools.
3 Month Trial Expected to Shape Future of Accessible Beaches
If the three month accessible beach trial is successful, organisers expect the Frankston model to shape future accessible beach seasons locally.
The programme is also expected to provide a practical template for other coastal councils looking to improve disability access, age friendly infrastructure and inclusive recreation along their own foreshore areas in Victoria and elsewhere in Australia.
Visit the Frankston City Council website for more information on the Accessible Beaches Pilot, including bookings for the CoolCabana, Beach Walkers and Wheelchairs.
