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Boardwalks and viewing platforms

Equal access

Requirements for the integration of equal access for all users

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) defines ‘premises’ as the whole of the built environment and includes existing buildings, new or proposed buildings, transport systems, car parks, pathways, and public parks and gardens.

Note: Consult an access consultant accredited by the Association of Consultants in Access Australia (ACAA).

Elements required for equal access

  • Embellishments must be designed in accordance with AS 1428 Design for access and mobility.
    • Design  boardwalks and viewing platforms which comply for design dimensions and installation provisions with AS 1428.4.1:2009 Design for access and mobility Part 1: General requirements for access - New building work.
  • Consider both the beginning and the end of a journey, together with a continuous accessible path of travel (CAPT) through an environment.
  • Deck planks must run perpendicular to the direction of travel to avoid “tramlining” of wheeled devices.
  • Install seats off the path of travel (500 mm minimum offset), at intervals to provide rest opportunities (recommended 60 m intervals). Consider a wide range of abilities and seat heights.
  • Install equal access shelters (sufficient circulation space for wheelchairs and extra height tables to allow wheechair access under) over viewing platforms to provide sun protection.
  • Avoid finished height difference between a concrete slab and adjoining surfaces to prevent trip hazards and to prevent ‘tramlining’ of pram, bicycle and wheelchair wheels.

Kerb (edge restraint)

  • Provides delineation for people who are blind (white cane users) and people with low vision.
  • Restrains bicycles, strollers and wheeled mobility devices such as scooters.
  • Recommend edge restraints have a minimum 30% luminance contrast with the boardwalk or deck surface. 
  • Install kerb both sides. Consider that where the edge of a low boardwalk joins soft sand or garden bed, wheeled mobility devices can become bogged or the occupant can be tipped out. 

Handrails

  • Assist older people and disabled people.
  • Guide people with low vision.

Leaning rails

  • Provide support and rest opportunities and to assist people with limited mobility.

Balustrade and baluster infill panel

  • Protects people from the risk of falls.

Deck abutment of surfaces

  • Deck surface construction tolerances relative to adjacent surfaces are to be no greater than:
    • 3.0 mm vertical or;
    • 5.0 mm vertical for bevelled or rounded edges.
  • Maximum 10 mm gap in decking boards (after shrinkage).
  • Ensure boardwalks and viewing platforms connect to a continuous accessible path of travel (CAPT) with a smooth transition.

Visual/sensory wayfinding

  • For people with a vision impairment, provide a minimum 30% luminance contrast between objects and the background they are viewed against, for ease of identification.
    • Where luminance contrast may not be achieved (such as grey aluminium furniture on grey concrete), luminance contrast can be addressed by introducing colour into the ground surface providing a minimum 30% luminance contrast with the embellishment base, resulting in the embellishment being more visible for people who have low vision.
  • Consider designing nodes with a contrasting coloured concrete, or a variation in surface texture, to enable people with a disability to identify the location of embellishments along a pathway.
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Sunshine Coast Open Space Landscape Infrastructure Manual (LIM) DISCLAIMER

Disclaimer

Information contained in this document may change without notice and you should use the current material available from Council’s website and not rely on material previously printed or stored by you.

All figures and diagrams are intended to be used as an aid to design and include Council’s preferred elements but they are not intended to be prescriptive and may need to be varied as dictated by site specific factors. While Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document, it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. The Council will not accept responsibility for any loss, damage, cost or expense that you may incur as a result of the use of or reliance upon any material contained in this document.

This document is produced to convey general information and is not intended to constitute advice whether professional or legal. Any reference to legislation in this document is not an interpretation of the law. It is to be used as a guide only. Consult relevant authority websites for current documents, revisions and amendments.

Where a particular product or supplier is profiled in this document, Council is NOT nominating this product or supplier as the selected choice. Product/supplier information has been provided to allow users to source products which contain the correct elements required for Council embellishments. Each product profiled states ‘or equivalent’ which means that different products may be supplied provided they satisfy the identified performance criteria, recommended standards, equal access guidance and product specifications.

Product design, manufacture and installation requires appropriately qualified people to provide site specific solutions to ensure the embellishment is appropriately adapted to local conditions and data.

This document does not override requirements stipulated in a development approval. Project specific variations may be appropriate as a result of site, environmental or other constraints. Any variations to these standards must be approved in writing by council prior to commencement of variation works. Components of this document may be used within a contract document but users should undertake their own investigations to confirm the information is suitable for this purpose.

Drawings contained in this document are NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.

Details in this document are deemed to be the minimum standard and the user may wish to apply a higher standard subject to approval by council.

Acknowledgements

Council wishes to thank all contributors and stakeholders involved in the development of this document.

Copyright

Sunshine Coast Regional Council (Council) supports and encourages the distribution of its material however, copyright protects this document. Council has no objection to this material being reproduced but only if council is recognised as the owner of the copyright and this material remains unaltered.

https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au[email protected]07 5475 7272

Sunshine Coast Open Space Landscape Infrastructure Manual (LIM)

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© LIM 2024 – 2026

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Version 0.0.38.beta

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Last Updated: 01/04/2026 12:27 AM

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