Western Australian National Parks to be made more accessible for people with disability

A new $2 million initiative - Accessible Parks WA - is set to improve disability access in Western Australia’s national parks and across its conservation estate.

Accessible Parks WA is a partnership between the State Government, Nature Play WA and Break the Boundary Inc to develop trails, paths, canoe ramps, boardwalks and activity hubs, as well as improved visitor information on the Explore Parks WA website for people with disability.

Nature Play WA will also deliver events, lesson plans for schools, and employ innovative methods to share WA's unique ecology and Aboriginal culture, so that families of children of all abilities can enjoy areas including nature reserves, marine parks and national parks.

Break the Boundary, which supports adaptive mountain biking and trail use, will build on its existing activity hub near Kalamunda by developing two new regional activity hubs.

The four main components of the Accessible Parks WA initiative are:

• $1million for infrastructure improvements for visitors with disability in parks including Perth Hills, Walpole-Nornalup, Lake Kepwari, Yanchep and Dryandra;

• $570,000 towards a Nature Play WA partnership delivering the 'Every Kid in a Park' initiative to connect children with disability to the conservation estate via an app;

• The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions will partner with Break the Boundary to develop in-park access experiences for visitors with disability, with $250,000 invested in the creation of two regional activity hubs; and

• $180,000 for disability access information improvements on the Explore Parks WA website.

WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby notes "making parks more accessible helps improve the wellbeing of people with disability and the health of the wider community. I look forward to partnering with Nature Play WA and Break the Boundary to promote recreational activities in national parks around the State."

WA Disability Services Minister Don Punch enthused "this is a fantastic initiative to improve access to some of WA's wonderful national parks for the benefit of all people with disability.

"I particularly look forward to seeing the enjoyment these upgraded and more accessible facilities bring children and young people with disability, their carers, family and friends, service providers and educators."

Image: Andrew Leddawi in Cape to Cape MTB race - a 4 day Mountain Bike Stage Race held in Margaret River WA. Credit Travis Deane