PRECINCT NEEDS AMENITIES FOR ALL

THE sad state of affairs for people with a disability at the Esplanade has been painfully exposed, once again. The story of Cairns mum Doreen Deede and the plight of her quadriplegic daughter, who can’t even go for a swim or a meal in the centre of our city because of the lack of a disability-accessible change room, is both depressing and frustrating.

Their story alone could prompt a serious think from Cairns Regional Council to finally build such infrastructure, estimated to cost about $280,000.

That’s not a lot of money when you consider the drastic impact it would have on those caring for disabled people, not less the disabled men and women themselves.

As reported today, building it would change 12-year-old Emma’s life, and countless others.

The wish for Cairns to be the best place for anyone to live, including those less fortunate than others, is a just cause.

“Imagine if it was your wife, your daughter or your parents and you couldn’t take them for a swim on the Esplanade or to dinner,” Ms Deede said.

“Imagine having to drive all the way home halfway through a meal because they do a poo and there’s nowhere to change them.”

It strikes a sad chord.

Interestingly, a Tourism Research Australia study in 2018 found the annual spend for disabled travellers and travelling parties was an eye-watering $1.9bn in Queensland.

One wonders how on earth such a facility was not included in the $28m upgrade of the Esplanade dining precinct in the first place.

But rather than look back, let’s get to work on fixing what has become a glaring oversight at an otherwise world-class entertainment, dining and tourism precinct.

Mark Murray

Reporter