Locals raise concerns over V-Wall beach access Nambucca Valley Nambucca Valley - popup ad Nambucca Valley News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - May 3, 2024 This Nambucca Heads beach was under discussion at last week’s Council meeting. ACCORDING to Nambucca Valley Resident Myra Davidson, the removal of steps to the beach at the Nambucca Heads V-Wall represents discrimination against people with disability by limiting their access to the sand. She supplied Nambucca Valley Council with a copy of the Disability Act of 1992 when she addressed Council’s fortnightly meeting last Wednesday to present problems with access to the Nambucca Heads beach. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au “This (Act) makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person in accessing public places,” she said. “Upgrades to pathways have removed the steps that were for years and years in place,” Ms Davidson told the assembled Councillors and staff. “This (removal of steps) limits and excludes people with disabilities, wheelchairs, the aged, young families and mothers with babies in their arms or prams. “People have to navigate climbing down sharp, unevenly positioned rocks with no railing for support. “It’s a huge safety hazard,” she asserted. Ms Davidson reminded Council that a significant petition of around 500 signatures was collected and given to council on 4 April this year. “Local people want access to the beach and steps or a ramp put back in place,” she asserted. Councillor David Jones sought clarification on who was actually responsible for the changes to this area and installing the rock steps in question. “I think there is another issue as well,” Mayor Hoban. “There was a proposal to upgrade that area, which Council supported, but that spot is considered deadly by authorities and it was not a good idea to encourage people to swim at that spot. “This was 20 years ago,” Ms Hoban said, calling for a report into the removal of the steps, the work that has been done to date and the matters raised in Ms Davidson’s speech. She invited Ms Davidson to return and address Council when the report was due to be discussed at a future meeting. By Ned COWIE The most obvious pathway to the beach, hidden among the sharp decorated boulders of the V-Wall.
