The Bunbury Surf Life Savers Club's ethos is community, the outdoors and keeping active.
They can now add pro-access to their repertoire with news they've officially secured funding to build a wheelchair accessible ramp adjacent to the club, to cater to the needs of beach-goers with mobility issues.
Currently, access to the beach is limited with only stairs, heavy sand tracks and a steep ramp. The works to create a more accessible and inclusive Back Beach was made possible after the club successfully secured a $110,000 Lotterywest grant.
Director of youth Todd Haffner said the club had also received immense support from local businesses who had offered contributions by way of in-kind donations and professional services.
Works commence in March next year and Mr Haffner said he is looking forward to the ramp assisting people in wheelchairs, parents with prams, the aged and people with other mobility issues to gain easier access to the water.
At a recent council meeting, Mr Haffner called upon the City of Bunbury to assist with the beautification and incorporate amenities to remove vagrancy at the ablution block located next to the would-be ramp.
"Right now the toilets are secluded from view from the beach, with the sand dune encroaching towards it and causing sand build-up and unwanted vegetation," he said.
"We're hoping that council will complete some level of retaining to prevent sand build up, reinstate the outdoor showers, improve lighting and the level of security monitoring and work with us in respect to the ramp design.
"By opening this area up, it creates circulation and attracts more people to the area in front of the club, allowing us to efficiently patrol and increase public safety."
