Disabled military veteran Laurie Mann allegedly told to get f***** by GEM contractors at Mount Gambier

A disabled military veteran has called out a private contractor for its traffic control measures as experts slam the lack of accessibility across SA worksites.

A disabled military veteran has allegedly been told to get f***** by contractors after he raised safety concerns over the lack of traffic control measures at a roadworks job site.

Military advocate Laurie Mann said the lack of traffic control measures at the road reconstruction works being undertaken along Crennan St, Mount Gambier were abysmal and unsafe for able and disabled pedestrians.

The City of Mount Gambier project is being overseen by contractors from Gambier Earth Movers (GEM).

“I went down there had a discussion with GEM and they told me to get f*****,” Mr Mann said.

“I told them you are not complying with the disability discrimination — you’ve got to allow pedestrians to get through — you have a duty of care.”

Mr Mann lives with disability and requires a mobility scooter to travel medium to long distances.

A disabled veteran was allegedly told get f***** after he raised, safety concerns at a road work job site. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Having served in the Australian army for 20 years, Mr Mann has been to Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu on humanitarian aid deployments.

Mr Mann wanted to see speeds reduced from 50km/h to 25km/h as well as the erection of safety barriers to protect pedestrians from cars.

Mount Gambier veteran advocates Laurie Mann. Picture: Arj Ganesan

When speaking to workers from GEM, they allegedly told Mr Mann council had approved the plans and to “p*** off”.

Previously pedestrians had to step down off the kerb and onto the road to travel across the Crennan St and Commercial St East T-junction.

“I’ve seen a lady go through there with two kids, a pusher and a dog — she was sh***** herself,” Mr Mann said.

Disability Rights Advocacy Service chief executive David McGinlay said worksites not adequately accommodating people with disabilities was a common occurrence.

“Where you see them put up temporary footpaths (people) have to go through narrow paths to get to the other side of say a construction site — there’s no taking into account for someone that may be in a wheelchair for example,” Mr McGinlay said.

Mr McGinlay said footpath ramps needed to be included on worksites to allow wheelchairs and mobility scooters to safely traverse.

In a bid to reduce costs on temporary measures, Mr McGinlay said he understood why temporary ramps were not installed by some contractors.

However, he said provisions needed to be made for all pedestrians, not just those who were able-bodied.

“You just have to walk around the CBD in Adelaide to see the same sort of thing,” Mr McGinlay said.

“Signs that say no pedestrian access, cross here, and it’s just in the middle of nowhere.

“You think ‘well you didn’t put any thought into this — the only thought is for people that (are able bodied)’.”

Disabled veteran Laurie Mann says allowing pedestrians onto a work site is “not good enough”. Picture: Arj Ganesan

A Safe Work SA spokesperson said they had received Mr Mann’s complaint and were making enquiries.

Gambier Earth Movers were contacted for comment.

Mount Gambier City Council city infrastructure general manager Barbara Cernovskis said council was conducting a review into how they can improve their service beyond what is legislatively required.

Ms Cernovskis said council would address issues raised “then and there” but were looking at more long-term solutions in alignment with their disability access and inclusion plan.