DEPUTY Mayor Chris Doohan has fulfilled a promise he made to a wheelchair bound resident.

She approached him about the lack of footpath ramps in Medowie and the ability for her to get around town safely using the footpaths instead of the road.

Mr Doohan made it his mission to liaise and campaign through Port Stephens Council to make sure the footpath ramps became a reality.

The completed ramps were share funded through RMS Active Transport Program.

This grant is designed for Roads and Maritime Services to partner with Local Government to plan and deliver infrastructure projects and walking and cycling programs.

Each ramp costs approximately $4000.

Each ramp is different, requiring different lengths of connecting paths, tree pruning or removal and service adjustments.

Council workers installed a majority of the ramps, but also used contractors when needed.

The ramps were installed at a cost of $160,000.

In addition a new pedestrian refuge on Kindlebark Drive adjacent to the preschool was included in the project.

Mr Doohan told News Of The Area, “It’s great to have a project like this completed, as it not only services those in wheelchairs and mobility scooters, it is a welcome relief to mums and dads out there pushing prams around.”

“It’s great to be an advocate and voice for the community to ensure that improvements to infrastructure are completed in other areas than just “The Bay”.”

“Medowie deserves better, and slowly but surely we are getting traction,” he said.

The original project included 29 ramps plus the pedestrian refuge, but this was extended to include an additional two ramps and a few missing links of paths at Grevillea and Silverwattle Drives all within the original budget.

Mr Doohan said, “Well done to the Council staff that managed and carried out the work.”

“Through their professionalism, efficiency, and effectiveness, they were able to complete the original project, as well as expanding to do more ramps than planned, and repair and expand a number of footpaths.”

 

By Rachael VAUGHAN