We want to enable people of all abilities to take part in the community. There's a range of accessibility initiatives around the City of Charles Sturt that make our community more inclusive and accessible.
The City of Charles Sturt enjoys 12 kilometres of natural pristine beaches. Beach going is an Australian way of life and is something that most of us take for granted. However, for 1 in 5 members of our community, who experience mobility impairment; access and inclusion at the beach can pose significant difficulties.
The City of Charles Sturt wanted to address inaccessibility and to be a leader in this field. We are proud to present Henley Beach as a totally accessible beach for everyone to enjoy.
Henley Beach is the first beach in South Australia to boast an inclusive suite of facilities. In addition to offering our accessible beach mat 24/7 along with free beach wheelchair and beach walker hire - we can now boast a nationally accredited “Changing Places” accessible public toilet and change facility. The facility is situated just north of the Henley Square, adjoining the existing amenities block, which is also equipped with a mainstream accessible toilet and a hoist available for transfers as part of the facility.
Please note: access to the Changing Places facility is via a MLAK Key.
Beach mats
Beach matting is a long sturdy mat that can be rolled out over the top of soft sand. It is accessible by wheelchair and those who have difficulty walking through soft sand to reach the water's edge. We also have wheelchair parking bays along the length of the mat if you don’t want to get wet and prefer to just enjoy your time at the beach.
Beach mats are in use at Henley Beach seven days a week between October and Easter each year. Mat roll out is subject to tide times, weather conditions and resources.
Beach wheelchairs and walkers
Did you know you can hire a wheelchair or walker that can go into the water? They're available for free half-day hire from October to Easter each year.
- We have two types of beach wheelchairs and two types of beach walkers for hire with different features
- Our Beach Walkers are all terrain and solo operational
- It is a wheelchair booking requirement that you have someone with you to assist at all times for safety reasons
- Feel free to leave your personal wheelchair in the storage area whilst you are hiring beach equipment
- The Mobi-Chair is better suited for going right into the water and has floating arms
- The DaVinci Chair can also enter the water but only knee deep
- Please check out which chair is best suited for you and familiarise yourself with Use and Safety Conditions:
Booking our beach wheelchairs or walkers
Hire times:
From Friday 29 September 2023
Morning hire: 8.30am – 12.30pm
Afternoon hire: 1pm – 5pm
*Where high tide is reported, the beach mat may be removed but if you have a booking you will be contacted. You will also need a MLAK key (see information below) to access the locker.
Bookings are essential. Book online or call 8408 1333 for more information.
Book your beach wheelchair or walker
How to collect a booked wheelchair or walker
Once booked, you can collect the wheelchair/walker from the Henley Surf Lifesaving Club at 246 Esplanade, Henley Beach.
There is a storage facility on the southern side external to the building. An MLAK key (Master Locksmiths Access Key) gives you access to the storage facility. If you don't have your own key, you can borrow a MLAK key from Ngutungka West Lakes, Findon Library, and Civic Library.
You can utilise our “Changing Places” accessible public toilet and change facility situated just north of Henley Square adjoining the existing amenities block, which is equipped with a mainstream accessible toilet and hoist available for transfers. Please note: you need to supply your own sling to operate the hoist.
Accessible parking is available near the Henley Surf Lifesaving Club and also our Changing Places facility.
Using and returning MLAK keys
We encourage accessible beach users to purchase an MLAK for individual use. MLAK Keys can be used at any accredited Changing Places facility across Australia.
Alternatively, you can borrow a MLAK from Ngutungka West Lakes, 9 Charles Street, West Lakes, Findon Library, Findon Shopping Centre and Civic Library, 72 Woodville Road, Woodville. You will need to be a library member to borrow a key. Keys can be collected up to 2 days before your booking.
Keys must be returned within 1 day of booking. If out of library operating hours, please place key in an envelope with your name and booking details on it and place in the library returns chute. It is the hirer’s responsibility to return the key promptly or late fees may apply.
Changing Places are accessible toilets and adult change facilities for people with high support needs and their carers. Changing Places have plenty of space, assistance and specialised equipment (including a hoist for transfers) that helps people to use toilets safely, comfortably and with dignity. Please note: you need to supply your own sling to operate the hoist.
We have a Changing Place at Henley Square, Henley Beach. It's accessible with an MLAK key. Learn more about MLAK keys.
The Changing Places concept was developed and established in Australia in 2009. It was based on a model developed in the UK. It has now been included in the 2019 Building Code of Australia to provide suitable facilities for people with high support needs who cannot use standard accessible toilets.
The Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) system is a unique and innovative system that uses a universal lock and key. It allows people with disabilities to access dedicated public facilities 24 hours a day. It was developed to increase the availability of accessible, clean and functioning public facilities for people who may have difficulty using standard facilities.
MLAKs give you access to facilities within the City of Charles Sturt. You can hire or purchase one for individual use.
Learn more about MLAK.
We've created Libraries without Borders to bring a world of information and entertainment to the homes of people unable to visit one of our 5 local libraries.
Learn more about our Mobile Library and Home Library services.
The Henley Surf Life Saving Club (HSLSC) is committed to inclusive programs and runs a Snippers (Special Nippers) program annually.
The HSLSC Snippers program increases the reach and inclusivity of disability programs through a modified Juniors program. The Snippers program started in 2018/19 season and has been an overwhelming success.
Snippers welcomes children with any disability into an inclusive environment to learn about surf safety. The goal of the program is integration into the Nippers program (with extra support if required) as the children's skills improve.
The Snippers program runs for around 6 weeks during the summer lifesaving season, at the same time as the Nippers. The program runs similarly to Nippers, with skills and tasks modified to suit program participants.
Find out more about this summer's program.
More information
community-diversity@henleyslsc.com.au
www.henleyslsc.com.au
On 4 February 2017 we organised a beach access event day to trial a beach mat that has never been used in South Australia before. The City of Charles Sturt would like to thank Push Mobility, Henley Surf Lifesaving Club, Accessible Beaches, Dignity for Disability, John Nieddu Photography, Push Adventures and all volunteers and attendees for making this event such a success.
Watch the video from the day:
Need help?
Customer Contact
8408 1111
council@charlessturt.sa.gov.au