General News
19 September, 2025
Ramp improves beach access
WARRNAMBOOL’S iconic Lady Bay is now more accessible thanks to this week’s official opening of a new beach access ramp.
The ramp is located at the popular McGennans carpark, close to accessible parking bays and the recently constructed accessible amenities block.
Warrnambool mayor Cr Ben Blain said the ramp was a key piece of infrastructure highlighted in council’s Beach Access Strategy.
“I’m looking forward to this new ramp making Warrnambool’s beautiful beach easier for everyone to enjoy,” he said.
“We know there are lots of people in the community that find stairs difficult for all sorts of reasons.
“This includes people with a range of mobility issues, older residents, families - and that’s why an accessible beach access point was a priority of our beach access strategy.”
Disabled Surfers Association (Great South Coast Victoria) president Luke Robertson said that the new ramp was a welcome addition.
“It’s great. It provides a lot of access to the beach,” he said.
“The sand that we’ve always tried to access as well, is more compact in this area and the surfing conditions are probably better here too.
“It’s going to be great for our events coming up because of the access, and even the viewing for people wanting to come and have a look at the event.
“We’re volunteer-based and last year we had a total of 126 surfers though our events.
“We need volunteers from the registration desk right on to the sand pushing wheelchairs up the new ramp, through to presenting medals and cooking the barbecue so if there are any community members out there, we can’t run our events without the community, so we’d love to have anyone on board.”
Cr Blain said that the design and materials used on the new ramp meant it was built to last.
“The structure itself has been built out of some really long-lasting components, which makes sense given the harsh conditions,” he said.
“It’s marine-grade stainless steel and fibre-reinforced plastic which we’re expecting to last for 50 years and hopefully even longer.
“We know the dunes in Lady Bay can shift quite a lot, and the ramp has been designed to account for the big fluctuations that can happen with the sand levels.
“This ramp has been built with these big changes, and more, in mind, with a considerable section of the ramp currently buried under the sand.
“Whatever the Southern Ocean can throw at it, we’re confident that this ramp is ready for it.”
The project was supported by the state government with $150,000 in funding via the Coastal Public Access and Risk Grants.
Council’s contribution was $376,000 (ex GST).
Additionally, beach wheelchairs are available to hire for free from the nearby Warrnambool Surf Lifesaving Club.
These wheelchairs are available from 10am – 6pm seven days a week and can be booked by contacting the club on administrator@warrnamboolslsc.org.au
