Wheelchair fishing platform

Throughout Canterbury (and indeed New Zealand) there is no suitable location where a person confined to a wheelchair is able to fish for salmon, unless they have a care-minder to assist. This proposal to establish a wheelchair friendly platform on the northern bank of the Waimakariri River needs sponsors to help make it a reality. It is thought that its user potential will be up to 150 wheelchair anglers.

Background	An initiative to establish a platform which is wheelchair friendly has been designed and planned for location on the northern bank of the Waimakariri River just to the seaward side of where the mouth of the Kaiapoi River enters the Waimakariri. This section of the river, known as McIntosh’s, is a renowned location for catching sea- run salmon as they migrate upstream to spawn between November and April.
Objective	The objective established for this project is to provide an option for a person confined to a wheelchair to be able to get themselves independently to the river side and successfully cast a line for salmon on equal terms to all other licensed fisherman. Every day of the fishing season there are up to 150 Anglers fishing at this location.
The concept	A fishing platform, on the river bank, has been designed capable of accommodating three wheelchairs along with a three vehicle carpark and sealed 100 metre roadway leading up over the stop bank to the platform from the Ferry Road entrance. This provides complete independence for the wheelchair fisherman and consultation with potential users confirms it to be a very exciting option and will provide opportunity for 100’s of new fisherman, as well as have a meaningful purpose and equality with other able body persons.
Who is involved	Consultation with Parafed, Burwood Spinal Unit, Environment Canterbury, Waimakariri District Council, Fish & Game and Community Service organisations have total praise for this facility and advise that it will provided excellent options for a large number of Wheelchair people.
Who can use the platform	When commencing this project the objective is that it be a Wheelchair Fishing Platform, for sole use of persons reliant on a chair for mobility. The project does not allow options to accommodate other users and entry through the carpark will be only available to approved users, otherwise other users would be able to take advantage of the facility and disadvantage the intended use.
The cost	The budget costs for this project is $14,000 for the carpark and roadway and $13,000 for the fishing platform.
How can you help	We are seeking sponsorship for this project and see this as a fantastic opportunity for a facility that will provide decades of use for wheelchair fisherman and give other options of fishing for herrings, kahawai, whitebait and other resident fish species. Naming rights will also be available. If you are able to discuss sponsorship funding we would surely welcome the opportunity of sharing your input and welcome your approval to formalise the option

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