FOOTFALL: Monbulk resident Tony Leonard points out the dangers associated with the footpaths along the main street.By TANIA MARTIN
A MONBULK man has called on the Shire of Yarra Ranges to fix the footpaths in Main Street, Monbulk.
Tony Leonard said his wife, June, has had a number of falls in the main street of town resulting in three broken legs and fractured ribs.
Mr Leonard took The Mail on a tour of Main Street pointing out the areas of concern.
He said the footpath down the shopping strip in Main Street needed attention.
“But, when you report faults to the council it takes weeks to have them fixed and they just put down a strip of bitumen which you can still trip over,” Mr Leonard said.
However, Mr Leonard said the council spent big dollars on the footpath down Moores Road which gets used only twice a day during the school term.
Mr Leonard said he and June are both over the age of 70 and walk a lot.
“We go to Older but Stronger classes at the swimming pool and they tell us not to walk with your head down looking at your feet.
However, he said it would be very dangerous not to look down when walking in the main street.
Shire community relations officer Simone Ryan said the council placed a high priority on public safety and that footpaths within the township area are inspected annually.
Ms Ryan said significant areas of work, beyond routine maintenance needs, are identified and referred to the council’s annual capital expenditure program for funding.
She said shire staff are scheduled to undertake two requests for footpath maintenance in Monbulk in the next two weeks.
Ms Ryan said in addition $40,000 has been set aside in this year’s budget to consult with the Monbulk community on their ideas for developing the township, which include streetscape and footpath improvement works.
She said $220,000 has also been allocated for the 200607 budget, which will be followed with $80,000 in the 200708 budget for township improvements.
