By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
Disabled people say they’re being left behind by development works…
A SPRINGVALE man who spoke out about being recently refused entry with his guide dog at a restaurant says people with a disability are not being listened to in Greater Dandenong.
Twanny Farrugia, a long-standing community advocate, gained wide media coverage after he and his guide dog, Val, were rejected from a restaurant in Clayton on 29 October.
Last week, he said there were many more battles to fight but he had become “sick and tired” of he and other disability advocates being ignored on major works projects.
He quit the independent Disability Access South-East out of frustration because he felt the group wasn’t being listened to by the council, Places Victoria, Metro Trains and Dandenong Taxis on projects such as the redesign of Dandenong railway station and Revitalising Central Dandenong.
“They first take action then consult with people with disabilities after the event.
“It annoys the bejesus out of me. Why not just speak to people with a disability before construction?
“To fix things later will cost them an arm and a leg. First, to fix the problem which could have been avoided had they consulted with people with disabilities.
“Second, if I fall due to inappropriate planning by the council, who provided the permits, I would have a strong case to sue the council for negligence.”
He cited the problem of the train station’s lift opening up to a stairwell, despite forewarning by disability advocates, and the removal of a straight, direct line of pedestrian access from the station to Vision Australia’s offices on Princes Highway.
Mr Farrugia said the council’s disability consultative framework was not as accessible as the defunct City of Springvale.
“We had no major issues with the (Springvale) council because they consulted with us often prior to providing any permits especially in the building area.”
Disability Resources Centre co-ordinator Frank Hall-Bentick said there was “some sort of token consultation before the event but they don’t listen to what people say”.
“Like many other places, if Greater Dandenong don’t like what they hear, they bring in an outside voice to tell them what they want to hear.”
At the behest of councillor Matthew Kirwan, the council is expected to consider a report on establishing a disability reference group and disability advisory group this month.
Greater Dandenong engineering services director Bruce Rendall said consultation had taken place with groups and stakeholders prior, during and following the major works in central Dandenong.
He said effort had been made to ensure the works were done in “a manner that meets the needs of all users”.
Community services director Mark Doubleday said the council’s consultation with people with a disability included inviting individuals to consultative forums, regular e-newsletters providing and seeking feedback, and surveys.
Twanny has his say, see Your Community Voice, Page 12
