Expert Disability Access Consulting on the Mid North Coast: Innovative Solutions for Inclusive Commercial Spaces in Port Macquarie

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Wednesday, 25 February 2026 14:03

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 14:00

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Expert Disability Access Consulting on the Mid North Coast: Innovative Solutions for Inclusive Commercial Spaces in Port Macquarie

Name: Expert Disability Access Consulting on the Mid North Coast: Innovative Solutions for Inclusive Commercial Spaces in Port Macquarie
Brand: Sydney Access Consultants

In the vibrant Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, where coastal charm blends with growing commercial hubs, the push for accessible and equitable buildings is transforming how spaces are designed. From bustling salons in Port Macquarie to retail developments in Forster, compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and universal design principles is crucial for creating environments that serve all community members. At Sydney Access Consultants, we specialize in disability access consulting, offering tailored services that help architects, builders, and business owners navigate regulatory complexities while fostering innovative, inclusive outcomes. With our esteemed partner Sandy Gray—a senior architect with decades of expertise—anchoring our efforts from her home base at Black Head Beach in Hallidays Point, we're ideally positioned to support projects across the area, from Coffs Harbour to Taree. Sandy has been a cornerstone of our team since well before COVID, providing continuity and profound institutional knowledge that has enabled us to deliver exceptional results even through challenging periods.

Sandy Gray's extensive technical prowess and creative ingenuity, refined over a career approaching retirement age yet showing no signs of waning, perfectly complements the expertise of Principal Architect Gary Finn. This dynamic partnership creates a balanced synergy: Gary's command of regulatory frameworks and performance solutions pairs seamlessly with Sandy's innovative design approaches, ensuring holistic, forward-thinking strategies. Sandy's flair for turning constraints into creative opportunities—such as reimagining spatial layouts for enhanced accessibility or incorporating adaptive features for diverse users—has been pivotal in projects involving heritage retrofits and contemporary builds. Her mastery of architecture, combined with an acute understanding of local nuances, guarantees efficient, compliant, and visionary designs. Together, their complementary skills form the backbone of our firm, where collaborative expertise drives superior client outcomes without hierarchy. Operating remotely from Black Head Beach, Sandy is readily available for local site visits, audits, and consultations, streamlining processes and cutting costs for Mid North Coast clients.

As pioneers in accessibility compliance, we draw on over 25 years of combined architectural experience to deliver practical solutions aligned with the current NCC 2025 and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1992. We stay at the forefront of standards, integrating accessibility with NCC 2025's focus on energy efficiency and resilience to support comprehensive building performance.

A Compelling Case Study: Elevating Accessibility in a Port Macquarie Hair Salon

A prime example of our impact on the Mid North Coast is our 2022 engagement for a commercial fitout at Port Macquarie. This Class 6 building under the NCC involved addressing accessibility challenges in the hair washing facilities, elevated on a platform to conceal waste lines—a design that initially deviated from Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) provisions in NCC Clause D3.1 and Table D3.1, potentially risking non-compliance with AS 1428.1 for accessible paths of travel.

Leveraging the complementary strengths of Gary Finn (ARB 5774 NSW, Cert IV in Access Consulting) and Sandy Gray, we formulated a performance solution under NCC Clause A2.2(2)(d), directly comparing it to DTS requirements. Gary's regulatory insight guided the exemption under NCC Exception D3.4 for areas where independent access could pose health or safety risks due to specialised equipment like sharp tools and chemicals. Sandy's creative expertise enhanced the solution by proposing practical adaptations, ensuring the design maintained functionality while prioritising user safety.

Core components of our approach included:

Adaptive Design Innovations: Sandy's forward-thinking input incorporated a mobile chair and hair wash station option, allowing customers to opt for ground-level service without physical assistance onto the platform, blending convenience with equity.
Management-in-Use Strategy: A protocol for staff-assisted treatments, similar to practices in personal service settings like medical clinics, where attendants escort clients and adjust positions—ensuring no discrimination, as this is standard for all customers to guarantee comfort and privacy.
Safety Enhancements and Future-Proofing: Recommendations for slip-resistant nosings with 50mm luminance contrast strips per AS 1428.1 on the platform edge, plus notes that the solution is tailored to salon use; any repurposing (e.g., to an office) would necessitate reassessment under new approvals.

This initiative secured full compliance without extensive redesigns, promoting safe, dignified access and universal design principles that made the salon more inclusive for clients with disabilities. The synergy between Gary's and Sandy's expertise transformed a potential compliance issue into an exemplary model of practical innovation.

Why Sydney Access Consultants Excels for Your Mid North Coast Project

With the Mid North Coast experiencing booming growth in commercial, residential, and tourism sectors, our personalised services set us apart from competitors like Jensen Hughes or McKenzie Group Consulting. Our boutique model focuses on agile, cost-effective strategies that transcend basic compliance, emphasising real-world usability.

We shine in:

In-Depth Compliance Support: Skilled analysis of Local Environmental Plans (LEPs), State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs), and Development Control Plans (DCPs) from initial reviews to final certifications.
Custom Performance Solutions: Our team's complementary talents craft bespoke alternatives meeting NCC Performance Requirements like DP1 for equitable access, adeptly handling site-specific challenges.
Regional Edge with Global Perspectives: Sandy Gray's local presence in Hallidays Point enables quick inspections and audits, lowering expenses. Her acumen, enriched by our Malaysian sister firm (accessconsultants.asia), brings international universal design insights.
Efficiency Through Technology: BIM workflows in Archicad for rapid documentation and approvals, keeping projects on schedule.

Our track record includes successes across NSW, such as NDIS-compliant Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and heritage adaptations, all conducted per the NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct.

Fostering Inclusive Prosperity on the Mid North Coast

As the Mid North Coast advances, accessibility fuels resilient communities and economic progress. From Black Head Beach's tranquil shores to Port Macquarie's lively districts, Sydney Access Consultants—bolstered by the complementary prowess of experts like Sandy Gray and Gary Finn—is committed to designs that align with NCC 2025. Architects and developers: imagine how our performance solutions could amplify your upcoming project.

Ready to create truly inclusive spaces? Sydney Access Consultants, with a team of peerless professionals like Sandy Gray, stands as your premier partner for disability access excellence on the Mid North Coast.