Mats give Lochlan freedom on beach

A TOWNSVILLE man who was paralysed after a diving accident in the ocean says a new product giving wheelchair users beach access will be “life changing”.

Nine years ago Lochlan Kennedy sustained critical injuries after he dived into the water at The Strand and hit a sandbar.

The 23- year- old said being in a wheelchair made it “very close to impossible” to get onto the beach.

“It takes three people dragging me along the sand – it’s a big task,” he said.

But yesterday Mr Kennedy helped the Townsville City Council test special “beach mats” designed to assist people with limited mobility on the same beach where he was injured as a teen.

“The mats will make a very big difference, they’re actually life changing,” Mr Kennedy said.

“You don’t live in North Queensland just for heat, it’s for the beautiful beaches.”

Mr Kennedy said the extra independence the mats provided would open up the space to more people.

“It’s not only helping people with disabilities, it’s changing the perceptions of other people and it’s raising the awareness that there are people who love to do everyday things but can’t and they need a little bit of help,” he said.

Mr Kennedy’s wife Sandra Haaland said she was looking forward to being able to visit the beach without worrying about access.

“Something as simple as putting mats on sand, it doesn’t exclude anyone but it includes more people to be able to access the beach and the water,” she said.

Councillor Colleen Doyle, who has been working on the initiative with the Inclusive Communities Committee for several years, said the tests were “very successful”.

Cr Doyle said once the best material was selected the mats would be regularly rolled out on the sand in front of Strand Park to make it easier for wheelchair users, prams or strollers to access the area.

“It’s a small monetary outlay, small footprint even, but huge benefit to anybody who is in a wheelchair, anybody who has reduced mobility, our older population ... and mums with prams,” she said.

“It actually makes it a more accessible environment and that’s what it’s all about.”

THE MATS WILL MAKE A VERY BIG DIFFERENCE, THEY’RE ACTUALLY LIFE CHANGING. YOU DON’T LIVE IN NORTH QUEENSLAND JUST FOR HEAT, IT’S FOR THE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES LOCHLAN KENNEDY ( PICTURED WITH HIS WIFE SANDRA HAALAND)