Mission to make Four Mile Beach wheelchair friendly
Published Saturday 9 April 2016
Lynda Brook is on a mission. The Port Douglas resident is lobbying to turn Four Mile Beach into a wheelchair friendly wonderland and she’s not stopping until it happens.
Brook, who suffers from the rare Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease affecting the legs and arms, has lived in Port Douglas for two years but is yet to experience the famous stretch of sand due to access limitations.
“I need my carer to take my dog for a walk on the beach because I can’t get access to it,” Brook said.
“That’s unfair because we live in a beautiful part of paradise and people in a wheelchair have just as much right to access the beach as anyone else.
“I’ve had a lot of random people say to me that this affects them in some capacity, be it a family member, relative or a friend.
“So I’ve made it my mission to make people aware this is an issue.”
Brook started a petition two months ago for improved access to Four Mile Beach and already has 800 signatures. She wants over 1000 and plans to present them to the Douglas Shire Council at its next Board meeting.
She should have an ally on the inside, with new councillor Michael Kerr already announcing he wants Port Douglas to become a more wheelchair friendly town.
He was pivotal in setting up ramp access at the Clink Theatre and has publicly stated Four Mile Beach was on his agenda.
“If we can get 1000 signatures I think its something the council will really have to look at,” Brook said.
“We are trying to work out a structured plan to see if it can be done, and I know I won’t stop trying until it does happen.”
Brook has held preliminary talks with Douglas Shire Council’s Community and Economic Development Officer Brendan Leishman about infrastructure possibilities.
The Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club has been touted as a possible wheelchair friendly location given its accessibility to the main beach.
For more information or to sign the petition, visit the petition page It's everybody's right to have access to the beach or contact Lynda on her Facebook page.
