Access to one of the Tweed’s most popular waterfront destinations has been boosted with the introduction of a new self‑service beach wheelchair at Jack Evans Boat Harbour’s Central Beach.

Tweed Shire Council yesterday launched a new collaboration with Cycling Without Age to bring an innovative and inclusive service to the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

Cr Kiri Dicker's motion to push forward with design options for accessible beach access in Lennox Head got the green light from Ballina Council at its latest meeting.

Almost a quarter of the Northern Rivers can’t access the places most people take for granted, like our beaches, parks, and public toilets. That’s a significant chunk of the population.

Public submissions recently closed for Ballina Council's proposed changes to Sharpes Beach. Prominent among these was a call for better accessibility options for people with disabilities, which is an issue right across the Northern Rivers. The Echo spoke to East Ballina resident Dr Mariann Lloyd-Smith to find out more.