Pool upgrade set to lift disability access standards
Disability Access
An all-abilities hydraulic lift at the Mossman Pool headlines three major improvements to Douglas Shire’s disability access which has come under fire from frustrated mobility impaired community members.
Mayor Lisa Scommazon says the Capital Works budget includes the installation of an all-abilities hydraulic lift at the Mossman Pool as well as improved access to the toilet block in Rex Smeal Park.
A wheelchair-compliant toilet will be included in the new Grant Street toilet block at Port Douglas, scheduled for installation in the coming month, Mrs Scommazon says.
And an all-abilities amenities block is nearing completion at the Mossman Caravan Park, designed to support inclusive tourism and local use.
The news follows a Newsport report last week detailing frustrations of Rocky Point couple Gigi Legenhausen and Andrea Groemminger over disability access across the region.
The former resort managers wrote to council over a lack of wheelchair access to the Mossman Pool, the issue becoming apparent as they adjusted to life in a wheelchair for Andrea.
Ms Legenhausen said the pool was the most frustrating example of a number of issues faced in the region by people with restricted mobility.
“They used to have a wheelchair lift at the pool but it has been broken for years and not fixed or replaced,’’ she said.
“Currently we have to drive to Cairns to be able to use the pool. Very disappointing and we expect immediate action to finally fix the discrimination of disabled people.
“It is not only frustrating but it can be quite dangerous,’’ Ms Legenhausen said.
“We have twice lost the front wheel off the wheelchair, had to get Andrea in the car, and had to go to the bike shop to get that fixed.’’
Others have weighed in on the issue, highlighting problems with disability parking, steep and broken paths and hard to navigate ramps, and a lack of action from council when confronting able bodied people doing the wrong thing.
“I have been saying it for years and have had numerous conversations with customers about using their wheelchairs in PD…sometimes I think we live in a bubble in this town,’’ Kylie Forrest said in response to the article.
Ann Maree Akiko said she had been told by council to call Main Roads at times disabled parks had been blocked by able bodied people.
“Isn't that a council job to advocate for the people,even the disabled and their carers?’’ she said.
Cooya wheelchair athlete Matt Shepperd said while he was not keen on swimming, a pool lift would be of benefit to mobility impaired people in the region.
Matt said while the pathways are really good from Cooya into Mossman, they’re on an angle.
"On a pushbike you wouldn’t notice it but it is really hard. I’m strong but it is pretty tiring,'' he said.
"A lot of the shops in town you can’t get into. If you are in a wheelchair it is hard.
"Access can be hard if you are wheelchair bound but you also have to think for those businesses if they go to all that trouble, how much people are going to use it.''
Selina Maffey has contacted Newsport to raise the work of the group called EADS, Equitable Access Douglas Shire, which in 2017 had contributed greatly to planning for disability access.
Ms Maffey also revealed council built a disability accessible change room at Mossman Pool that had all the facilities for people to utilise including a change table that could be lowered to wheelchair height for transfers and showers.
“Due to lack of use and possible equipment issues, as well as regular visitors no longer accessing the pool, the disability change room facility stopped being advertised and used,’’ she said.
“Last time I looked it was being used as storage.''
A council spokesperson said the disability facilities at the pool are still operational and accessible and they were not aware of the room ever being used for storage.
Douglas Shire Council last undertook a Community Access Audit in 2021, but Mrs Scommazon also pointed out that whenever Council upgrades or replaces ageing infrastructure, it takes the opportunity to improve accessibility by aligning with current disability access guidelines and best practices.
“Council will continue to replace ageing infrastructure with infrastructure featuring improved disability access,’’ she said.
“Council hears the community’s concerns and is committed to making Douglas Shire a place where everyone can participate fully in community life.
“I would encourage people to contact Council with any feedback they have about improving accessibility.’’
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