By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
GREATER Dandenong councillor Matthew Kirwan will press for a council investigation of a litany of central Dandenong disability-access black spots.
Cr Kirwan said the council had “stonewalled” on the issue for several years despite being lobbied by Disability Resources Centre and Disability Action South-East members.
He wants the council to cost options to fix 14 problems including cobblestone pavers in Lonsdale Street parking bays, inaudible pedestrian signals near Dandenong station and a lack of wheelchair access at the McCrae Street taxi rank.
The to-do list suggests the reintroduction of a consultative group comprising people with disabilities.
Cr Kirwan will move a notice of motion on the matter at next Monday’s council meeting.
“I want to see the council staff put a justification for addressing or not dealing with these issues.
“We need to get away from talking about Disability Discrimination Act compliance but not meeting the needs of our residents.”
Last week, Cr Kirwan said he wanted changes to the council’s footpath policy to ensure disability-accessible paths.
He cited the example of a recent footpath purportedly built for elderly residents in Noble Park which climbs a steep mound of earth. The council is undertaking a review of that path after complaints from Cr Maria Sampey.
“The current policy doesn’t require footpaths to be wheelchair accessible,” Cr Kirwan said. “We have to look at that, particularly with new works.”
Sharon Harris can’t propel her wheelchair up a steep kerbside ramp recently built during the council’s roundabout works at the junction of Carson Street and Railway Parade in Dandenong West.
Without help, she has no option but to wheel backwards onto the road or plead for assistance.
Ms Harris, who has publicly criticised the cobblestones and a lack of kerbside ramps in the ‘revitalised’ central Dandenong precinct, said she was reluctant to visit the city centre because of the access hazards.
“Why doesn’t the council fight to change the regulations and be a leader in their field?”
Greater Dandenong chief executive John Bennie said “questions are being asked” of the standards. “We know the community is getting older… Maybe those standards need to be reviewed in the future.”
BLACK SPOTS
Matthew Kirwan’s to-do list:
1. Fix uneven cobblestones in parking bays, Lonsdale Street (severity: critical).
2. Audible signals for Dandenong railway station zebra crossing (critical).
3. Kerb ramp for taxi rank, McCrae Street (critical).
4. Access to shops too narrow for wheelchairs (critical).
5. Insufficient kerb ramps, Lonsdale Street parking bays (very high).
6. Start a community reference group for people with disability (very high).
7. Lack of formal crossing, Langhorne and Lonsdale streets intersection (very high).
8. Lack of parking bays for people with disabilities (very high).
9. Fix uneven pavers, Palm Plaza (very high).
10. Need for a AAA-accessible Greater Dandenong Council website (high).
11. Introduce fixed seating, Dandenong Market (high).
12. Broken lifts, Dandenong railway station (high).
13. Green rooms access, Lonsdale Street (medium).
14. New kerb and channel, Patchell Lane (medium).
What do you think? Post a comment below.
For all the latest breaking news, stay with this website. Also, follow the Weekly at facebook.com/dandenongjournal or on Twitter @DandyJournal.
