CONCERNS have been raised about the state of footpaths in Edithvale.
The paths have been labelled by some as unsafe and dangerous, with cracks forming and makeshift repairs becoming uneven.
The issue was brought to the attention of Kingston councillors during their budget debate last month. Councillors voted to not rectify the issue as a priority in the existing infrastructure line items within their budget.
Kingston councillor Georgina Oxley, who supported the move to find funding for repairs, said “we were contacted last year by Edithvale Collective raising issues with footpaths. [Cr David Eden] went through the normal processes from there, but nothing got done.”
“At budget time Edithvale Collective made a submission about revitalisation funding and footpath issues. They put in their submissions and around 30 residents emailed councillors and the mayor. On budget night [Cr Eden] and I moved to use the existing budget to fix footpaths, but it wasn’t supported by council.
“Ordinarily officers should be fixing it after it is raised by residents. [Cr Eden] tried to push through the normal maintenance schedule, but by the time the budget submissions came through it hadn’t been dealt with. Only after we raised it at a council meeting did officers go out there, they hadn’t been out there previously.
“The intervention level is if it’s below 15 millimetres. There was a lady who a couple of months ago fell and injured herself. The officers went out there after that and said it wasn’t 15 millimetres, but [Cr Eden] and I went out with a tape measure and it was.”
Kingston Council interim CEO Tim Tamlin said that the existing temporary repairs met safety standards.
“Many of the footpath issues raised at Edithvale have been caused by the relocation of underground services, including preparations for the upcoming Level Crossing Removal Project works,” he said. “Officers have recently inspected the footpaths there and have confirmed that the existing temporary repairs, which may not look attractive, do meet safety standards under Kingston’s Road Management Plan. There will be ongoing inspections, and repairs will be undertaken as required.
“Kingston Council is continually working to improve and maintain our footpaths and roads across the city. As such, all safety improvement works are already included in our normal operating budget.
“Once the level crossing works are completed, final rectification works will be conducted which will reinstate the footpaths to meet with the visual amenity of the area.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 14 July 2021
