Four Mile beach and Palm Cove are set to become the first spots on the Queensland coast to host all terrain wheel chairs, creating access to the beach and ocean waters for people with a disability.
 
Council’s Chair of Access and Equity Committee, Cr Margaret Cochrane said the chairs will be available from the Surf Life Saving Clubs at both beaches.
 
“An average wheelchair would get bogged down in the soft sand of most beaches, so this is the proverbial four wheel drive of wheelchairs.  It is a wonderful project, designed to allow those people with a disability better access to the natural environment,” Cr Cochrane said.
 
“These chairs will be available to community through the surf lifesavers at both beaches.  The chairs are designed to be manned by a carer, so that the person with a disability does not enter the water unaccompanied.”
 
Both Cr Cochrane and Cr Julia Leu contributed to the $12,500 cost of each chair and its customised housing.
 
“We are launching the first of the chairs at Palm Cove.  Just as soon as the housing for the chair is completed at Four Mile Beach, there will be an all terrain chair available there as well," Cr Leu said.
 
“Using the four wheel drive chair will simply be a matter of asking the life guards on duty for access.”
 
The highly specialised chairs will be available on a free of charge basis to the public.