Two beach access mats are planned for Ōhope this summer, making it easier for more people to cross the soft sand and enjoy the beach.

The initiative, led by Kay Montgomery, will reuse existing beach matting to create an access point beside the Ōhope Surf Life Saving Club and establish another at West End. The mats will provide a firm path across the soft sand, with the surf club access extended to help people reach the designated swimming area between the flags.

Montgomery said she was inspired after reading about a beach access mat programme at Waihi around Christmas time last summer.

“I want our beaches to be as good as other beaches around the country and our facilities here support access for all people,” she said.

After looking at Ōhope’s existing mats, Montgomery found several were no longer being used because they had been lifted and stored beside buildings or in the dunes.

She said there had been no overall maintenance plan to ensure the mats remained usable.

The new plan involves installing a secure, permanent 20-metre section at each site, with a further 30 metres of matting that can be rolled out when needed and removed ahead of severe weather.

Existing matting will be reused for the project.

The mats are made from recycled materials and will use ground-stabilising matting and be secured with long steel pins driven into the sand.

Montgomery said the project was about making a spontaneous trip to the beach possible for more people.

“Everybody can wake up in the morning and think, I want to go to the beach,’ and they don’t have to think about it, but just go down,” she said.

She said improving accessibility could also benefit the wider community, including local businesses, by making Ōhope a more welcoming destination for visitors with disabilities and their families.

The project is supported by the Disability Resource Centre, Whakatāne Accessible and Inclusive (WAI) group, Ōhope Surf Life Saving Club, Salt Spray Surf School and Whakatāne District Council Community Development.

The Disability Resource Centre has also donated two beach wheelchairs with inflatable tyres to help people with limited mobility access the beach. One is at the Ōhope Top 10 Holiday Park, while the other will be kept at the surf club.

Montgomery has applied for funding to help cover the cost of steel pins, ground-stabilising matting and preparation work, with the total project estimated to cost about $14,000.

She hopes to secure funding in early November so work can begin, with the aim of having the mats available by the end of the month.

A dispenser to roll the removable sections on and off the beach is also being explored, although Montgomery said the priority was getting the access mats installed.

Once completed, Montgomery will have the accessible beach locations added to Google Maps so visitors can find them more easily.

Volunteers will be needed to help roll up the removable sections when storms or cyclones are forecast and put them back in place when conditions improve.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the project, helping build a mat dispenser, volunteering to maintain the mats or offering other support can contact Montgomery at [email protected].