EASTERN BEACHES FORESHORE RESERVES MANAGEMENT PLAN - COMMUNITY CONSULTATION OVERVIEW AND PROPOSED CHANGES (Referred from Planning and Environment Committee dated 8 August 2023 - Item 5.1) · Attachment 1 EBFRMP 2023 Draft Final

vegetation can be highly unfavourable for some forms of universal access. These challenges
present opportunities to consider innovative access designs and materials and events.

A mobility mat – Mobi-Mat - has been installed on nearby Noosa Main Beach, through a
collaborative project between Surf Life Saving Queensland, Noosa Surf Club, Tewantin-Noosa
Lions Club, Noosa MP Sandy Bolton, and Council. It is a firm, recycled plastic mat that extends
from the beach access ramp in front of the Noosa Surf Life Club, across the beach and to the
water. It provides better universal access down to the water, and access to the sand for
sunbathing, making sandcastles and other beach activities. This is a permanent installation, only
removed for king tides and bad storms. Considerations in locating the mat in this area included: the
very high visitor attendance, the flagged swimming area, and a flat, stable beach that enables
permanent installation.




Figure 15: Mobility mat on Noosa Main Beach



Swimming and surf lifesaving
With over eleven kilometers of beaches, ocean swimming and paddling is a drawcard for locals
and visitors. Three flagged bathing areas in the EBFRs, at Sunshine Beach, Sunrise Beach and
Peregian Beach, are patrolled with a mix of paid Surf Life Saving Queensland lifeguards and
volunteer lifesavers from Surf Life Saving clubs at Noosa Heads, Sunshine Beach and Peregian
Beach.

There are surf clubs and towers at Sunshine Beach and Peregian Beach, and lifeguards and life
savers regularly patrol some beaches outside of the flagged areas. The Surf Life Saving Club
buildings and associated beach accesses, towers, accesses, and patrol areas are neighbours to
the EBFRs. Council aims to ensure the adjoining foreshore reserves and Surf Life Saving Club
facilities are managed in a way that complement each other.


Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves Management Plan 2023                                     Page 46