McGennan's Beach Boardwalk and Access Ramp
McGennan's Beach Boardwalk and Access Ramp - NatureTREAD™
Warrnambool, VIC – McGennan’s Beach is located in Warrnambool, Victoria, adjacent to the McGennan’s car park along the city’s southern coastline. The old timber stairs had been closed for years as they were no longer safe for use. As part of the 2022 Beach Access Strategy, Warnambool City Council rebuilt the access point as an all-abilities ramp, officially opened in September 2025.
Design for Coastal Conditions
The ramp and stairs were designed to withstand rough ocean conditions, with footings extending up to six metres below the beach surface.
Durable Material Selection
The structure was built using long-lasting materials, including marine-grade stainless steel and fibreglass reinforced plastic. This marked a deliberate shift from older beach access designs toward stronger footings and materials better suited to harsh coastal environments.
Project Challenges
- Providing all‑abilities access in a high‑use coastal location was essential to support people with mobility challenges.
- Durable materials were needed to withstand harsh Southern Ocean conditions while maintaining long‑term safety and performance.
- The structure had to withstand large fluctuations in sand levels around the dunes.
Project Information
Project Category: Recreational Public Infrastructure
Scope of Work: Supply FRP grating and structural profiles
Treadwell Products :
- NatureTREAD™ FRP Balustrades
- EX-Series® GratEX® FRP Mini Mesh Grating
- ArchitEX™ FRP Structural Profiles
NatureTREAD™
- Treadwell’s FRP products are crafted from premium resin systems with corrosion resistant properties, fire retardant additives and UV inhibitors, ensuring suitability for outdoor use.
- EX-Series® GratEX® FRP Mini Mesh grating panels have an impregnated grit surface, eliminating the risk of delamination, and ensuring a durable and long-lasting anti-slip surface for user safety.
- Treadwell FRP features integrated colour pigments, helping maintain colour consistency over time.
- Treadwell FRP structures have a design-life of 55-years, providing long-term reliable and durable structural integrity.
- This upgrade improved beach access for people with a range of mobility issues, and it was welcomed as a big improvement for events which run on wheelchair-accessible sand.
- The lightweight nature of FRP allows for installation without heavy machinery, causing minimal impact on the surroundings and reducing the load on the natural environment. This also reduces costs associated with transport and labour.
- FRP is long lasting, outlasting traditional materials, minimising resources needed for repairs and replacements.
