Building works disrupt long awaited footpath

Andrew Algie and his wife, Karen, have been living at Fairview Retirement Village in Warragul for the last four years. The couple was part of a group of advocates who requested Baw Baw Shire Council provide a footpath on Sargaent Street.

Two years ago, this became a reality. This new path provided Fairview residents, many of whom are in wheelchairs or on mobility scooters, safe access out of the retirement village.

‘Two to three times a week we use the path to go up the street, usually,’ said Karen. Andrew estimates that up to 50 of their fellow residents would use the path every day to go into town.

Not at the moment, however. A construction project recently began on a neighbouring block of land which is part of the West Gippsland Hospital grounds.

This land is also on Sargaent Street. An access route into this section of land was created by cutting away a large section of the concrete path.

This has allowed trucks access to the construction site, but is preventing the entire path from being used by anyone on a mobility scooter or in a wheelchair.

Andrew was initially optimistic that it would be reinstated quickly, or a temporary solution would be provided by West Gippsland Hospital.

‘Three or four months ago the path became unusable. At the time I said to Karen, don’t worry, they’ll fix it.’

This was not the case; the footpath was unusable for weeks and many of the residents who are unable to walk into town.

However, last week repairs began and the footpath was expected to be restored by the end of this week.

‘There is no need for it to have taken this long,’ said Andrew.

‘They have made no provision for anyone to get through. It’s too rough for wheelchairs and scooters,’ he added. ‘The tall gutter means that the entire length of footpath is unusable for anyone on a mobility device. It’s not a very wide road, especially when you consider that the bus needs to get around the corner. It’s dangerous.’

An alternative route exists that also leads to Korumburra-Warragul Road. Andrew explained that this track is too narrow to use with a mobility scooter, especially on the days that residents have put out their rubbish bins for collection.

‘There are many other people who are upset. Especially when we fought so hard to get the footpath.’

A spokesperson from West Gippsland Hospital said that the footpath was currently being restored, with work continuing this week.

Andrew Algie sits in his loungeroom frustrated at months of disruption to the only footpath he can use to safely get himself into town.