Hastings Access Sub-Committee Meeting 10/03/2014

Transcription

1 Acknowl edg ement of Countr y Apologies Confirmati on of Minutes H asti ngs Access Sub-Commi ttee Disclosur es of Interest PRESENT Members: Councillor Rob Turner (Chairperson) Brian Bucket Elizabeth Rose Julie Priest- PMHC Aged & Disability Officer Liz Conroy Lyndel Bosman -Guide Dogs NSW Max Waters Mike Ipsen Phil White Sharon Beard Other Attendees: Lucilla Marshall - PMHC Group Manager Community Development Steve Jenkins - designer of the floating beach wheelchair The meeting opened at 2.00pm. 01 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Acknowledgement of Country was delivered. 02 APOLOGIES That the apologies received from George Payne, Helen Booby, Nik Sandeman-Allen, Vicky Whitfield and Councillor Lisa Intemann (alternate) be accepted. 03 CONFIRMATION OF That the Minutes of the held on 10 February 2014 be confirmed. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Page 1

2 Busi ness Arising fr om Pr evi ous Minutes 04 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST There were no disclosures of interest presented. 05 BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS 5.1 Yellow Brick Road Project: Councillor Turner advised that the aluminium stencil is being manufactured and was due to arrive on Friday. The stencilling will then be applied to the footpath and there will be a photo opportunity with the Access Committee. That an update be provided at the April meeting and discussion about a photo opportunity Aldi Car Park: Brian Bucket tabled a draft letter and photos requesting a change to the Australian Standards for the accessible car parking space. Clr Turner read out the letter to the Committee. Lyndel suggested a change to using the phrase person with a disability. Julie will make amendments and provide the letter for Clr Turner to sign. Clr Turner thanked Brian for his work in preparing the letter which is much appreciated. That with minor amendments the letter be signed by the Chair and the correspondence sent to the Australian Standards Access Friendly Project: The Committee provided an update about the Access Friendly activities for the past month. Mike Ipsen, El Rose, max Waters and Brian Bucket had visited the majestic stairlifter. Mike has cracked the code and advised the cinema staff for patrons not to hold onto the front bar as this automatically stops the stair lifter. The faulty overload in it has been repaired. The Glasshouse was visited and met with Carissa Graham the Box Office Supervisor to discuss the draft brochure and amendments made. The group also visited Job Centre Australia which was approved as being Access Friendly. The group returned a week later with Clr Turner to celebrate the 1 st Birthday of Job Centre Australia and a photo will be provided at the next meeting. That Access Friendly visits be discussed at the April meeting. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Page 2

3 5.17 Access Requests Settlement Point Ferry: The Ferry Manager has provided a review by BCA Consulting Mid North Coast. Councillor Turner read out the letter. A formal review would cost $1980. The Access Consultant believes the ferry is exempt from providing wheelchair/mobility access as it is not a passenger ferry and would require considerable hardship in constructing a connecting wharf/ramp at each end which would also be tide affected and create inherent risks for council. An exemption under the Accessible Public Transport 2002 can allow a transport operator an exclusion and the vehicle ferry could be argued to fall into this category. That the Access Committee agreed not to proceed with a $1980 formal review and that a Maxi Taxi is the alternative for wheelchair access on the vehicle ferry. If the ferry is ever replaced in the future it is recommended to be wheelchair accessible. This matter is now closed Rebel Sport removal of accessible parking space: Development Assessment is reviewing this situation. That an update be provided at the April meeting Construction of handrail for new Lighthouse staircase: Councillor Turner advised that the new handrail has been installed and tabled photos of the completed works. This action is now closed Taxi requests for kerb ramp at Coles and layback on Horton St cab rank: The request has been submitted to Transport & Stormwater Network Management Section as a high priority. That the Committee be advised when these works have been completed Stairlifter at Majestic Cinemas: An Access Friendly visit was conducted. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Page 3

4 Community Garden Accessibility Open Day: The Committee were given an invitation to the event which is on Wednesday 23 rd April North Haven Breakwall: The Access Committee thank you has been forwarded to staff member Jeff Norrie. Clr Turner attended a Camden Haven meeting and he advised the residents on the swift maintenance of the Breakwall Port High accessible car parking: Julie provided an update and the school does not have any formal or informal arrangements for accessible car parking. They have not received a request from any parents and expressed a willingness to assist in any way. That the Committee be provided with an update at the next meeting Glasshouse Access brochure: An access friendly visit was conducted during the month and Julie Priest forward to Council s communication team a copy of the Clear Print Guide provided by Lyndel Bosman Integrated Transport Strategy: Committee members were invited to attend one of the three Have you Say workshops occurring 11th,12 th and 13 th March or visit Brian advised that the Busways route brochure is incorrect and is still available at the Glasshouse - it is dated May That Julie Priest contact Busways for the new bus route brochure Koolunbung Creek Footpath: Julie Priest reviewed the gradient of the existing Koolunbung Creek footpath (North of the new footbridge) and it is 6.6% gradient - double the Australian Standards. That the footpath works be added to the Access Committee footpath priorities list. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Page 4

5 06 General Business Round-a-bouts sight limited by vegetation: The vegetation has been trimmed but the Stratissilias are still encroaching. This is not necessarily an access/disability issue. That the Road Safety Officer review this issue Focus on Ability Short Films Festival: Clr Turner suggested the Access Committee could encourage a young filmmaker as prizes are designed for emerging filmmakers. The Access Committee can be used as a resource for an emerging filmmaker Pedestrian Refuge at Buller Street: Julie Priest measured the pedestrian refuge which was more than 3.30metres wide. Brian Bucket advised that the depth was an issue as he had observed a mobility scooter having to go sideways to fit in. The Australian Standards were tabled for the Committee which showed the length and did not specify the depth of a pedestrian refuge. That Traffic Engineer review the dimensions of the Buller Street pedestrian refuge and advise if compliant with the Australian Standards Code of Conduct: Liz Conroy has received and signed a copy of the Code of Conduct. El Rose to be reissued a copy of the code of conduct as an old address was being used. A new copy of the Code of conduct to be sent to El Rose for her to sign and return. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Page 5

6 06 GENERAL BUSINESS 6.1 Footpath - Munster Street: Brian Bucket advised that the new footpath at Munster Street near the roundabout has a steep edge which could be a falls hazard and the grass verge is at different levels. Julie Priest and the Road Safety officer to review and report back at the next Committee meeting. 6.2 Review of Charles Stuart University Stage 1 Campus: The Committee reviewed the plans for the new campus and makes the following comments 1. Footpath to be continuous and accessible from accessible car parking spaces 2. Number of toilets to comply with Australian Standards as ratio seems very low 3. Main entrance at basement level accessible car park user must use lift as it is not connected via a ramp to the main entrance of the University. The basement level only has access via a lift which is a concern if there is a power outage. 4. Mid-level toilet - insufficient space in front of the door 5. All toilets to comply with Australian Standards 6. Distance to toilet - is there a limitation on distance to travel between facilities? 7. Vehicle drop-off at the lower level is only available via the lift. That these comments be included in the DA Access report. 6.3 Floating Beach Wheelchair: Steve Jenkins and assistant Paul demonstrated their invention, the floating beach wheelchair. The Access Committee members viewed the chair and discussed the design with the creators. The meeting closed at 4.00pm. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Page 6