Randwick Council to install kerb ramps for every footpath
COOGEE’s undulating hills may make for a pretty postcard, but navigating the neighbourhood on foot can be nigh-on-impossible if you’re in a wheelchair or pushing a pram. But the council aims to have a kerb ramp on every corner in Randwick City by 2020.
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COOGEE’s undulating hills may make for a pretty postcard, but navigating the neighbourhood on foot can be nigh-on-impossible if you’re in a wheelchair or pushing a pram.
Why?
The old suburb is one area in Randwick City where many footpaths are not connected to roads via kerb ramps.
Randwick councillor Brendan Roberts has successfully lobbied for that to change however throughout the city.
“The council had a program to put a footpath on every side of the street and we’ve just achieved that goal,” Cr Roberts said.
“Now that we’ve achieved that goal I thought there was capacity to have a new goal to put a kerb ramp on every corner by 2020.”
Cr Roberts said it was a small, but “everyday” solutions which would affect many residents.
“This is what being a councillor is all about,” he said.
“It’s talking to locals about what matters to them in their real lives and this is how councillors can make a real difference.
“It’s not just about mums, it’s about mobility reduced senior citizens, about the disabled and others.”
IN OTHER NEWS
Cr Roberts’ motion faced opposition by some councillors when a rescission motion was heard at last week’s council meeting.
The rescission was ultimately scrapped.
“This is a great policy that will benefit many locals for a very small cost to ratepayers and I was surprised and disappointed that there was a rescission motion placed against it which created uncertainty in the community,” he said.
‘I’m thankful to those councillors who … changed their mind.”