Coastline access denied for disabled visitors

 

With the hot months approaching Mangawhai’s beautiful coastlines become popular destinations, however for some visitors dipping their toes in sand and surf is a no-go due to difficulty with access.

Mangawhai Head’s Surf beach, Te Arai and Picnic Bay all pose problems for people who are bound to wheelchairs, have difficulty walking and for a number of elderly, leaving them high and dry especially in the summer months.

Grandmother of a young woman with high special needs, Shelia Smith says that trying to access Mangawhai's coastline with her granddaughter Jas and other ‘non-walkers’ ‘is near impossible’.

“Best chance we have is to look around to see if there is any willing people to assist,” she says. “I purchased a beach buggy from Australia last year but unless a fourth person is around to help it's an absolute non-event to use it. I'm happy to put it with the surf club so that if needed it can be used by anyone to enjoy our beautiful surroundings.”

The dedicated nana has driven from Devonport to Mangawhai every fortnight over the last five years to help son Jon take care of his four children including Jas. 

She believes it is possible for ramps to be built alongside the steps at the surf beach and along the rocks at Picnic Bay. 

“The boat ramps at Alamar Crescent is another area where it would have been quite easy to have made both sides with sloping concrete on to hard sand for wheelchairs and pushchairs.”

Frustrated, Shelia has decided to take action to improve access and would like to gauge community interest on establishing a trust to raise funds for materials to build ramps and other supports. 

“We have a lot of lovely volunteers in this community and I'm sure if a trust was established funds could be collected to help,” she says. “I'm happy to start the ball rolling with $500.” 

Kaipara District Council say they are aware of access restrictions to the Mangawhai coast and will address some of the issues in the Coastal Walkway which is part of the Mangawhai Community Plan, spokesperson Ben Hope says. 

“At the moment, there is access at the Heads down the Surf Club boat ramp although this is quite steep and often the lifeguards/members will assist where possible,” he says. “We will need to look at this when we are doing design and will talk to groups and those with access issues to ensure that Mangawhai’s coastline is able to be accessed by everyone.” 

 Interested in getting involved? Please contact Shelia Smith, 022 165 0828 or nannysheila99@gmail.com