A Rocky Point couple and long-time Douglas Shire residents have exposed the critical lack of disability access throughout key tourist sites and public facilities in the region, putting the need for a disability access review on the agenda.

Gigi Legenhausen has written to council over a lack of wheelchair access to the Mossman Pool, the issue becoming apparent to the former resort manager and pool worker, as she adjusts to caring for now wheelchair bound partner Andrea Groemminger.

“As a ratepayer I would expect to be able to access all public areas, especially council owned facilities,’’ she says.

“Why was the money spent on a wheelchair ramp so you can enter the building but not the pool? I would expect at least a ramp to actually get into the water.

“A wheelchair pod would be the optimal solution. Another rate rise, but no improvement on the accessibility of the Mossman Pool.’’

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.’’

Impacts of spinal cancer meant Ms Groemminger is paralysed from the waist down and she has been confined to a wheelchair for the past year.

Navigating Port Douglas and other areas of the region have been challenging and have opened the couple’s eyes to issues with disability access in the area.

“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.’’