Market blocks access: shop owner

A DISCRIMINATION complaint has been lodged with the Australian Human Rights Commission about Lismore produce market.

A DISCRIMINATION complaint has been lodged with the Australian Human Rights Commission about Lismore produce market.

Lismore kebab store owner Robert (Big Rob) Bou-Hamdan has lodged the complaint against Lismore City Council.

Mr Bou-Hamdan said market stalls in Magellan St are being placed on footpaths and blocking access for people with disabilities.

"Their marquees are blocking so much of the footpath that a lot of visually impaired people are having trouble because there is no clear path along the building line," Mr Bou-Hamdan said.

"I don't want to be rid of the markets I just want them to operate legally and equitably as is required by every other shop in Lismore."

However Lismore council's manager of development and compliance Peter Jeuken said the markets comply with access guidelines for temporary events.

"This policy includes the provision of unobstructed footpath areas for the movement of pedestrians of 1.5m with an absolute minimum of 1.2m," Mr Jeuken said.

Mr Jeuken said council does "regular informal inspections" of the markets.

"Our inspections have found the market has not breached this policy and we do not consider that their operation breaches the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act."

City centre manager Katie O'Rourke said the council supports the markets as a way to draw shoppers into the CBD.

"The markets are one element of our strategy to bring more life to the city centre," Ms O'Rourke said.

But Mr Bou-Hamdan said local shop-owners resent the markets.

Originally published as Market blocks access: shop owner