YOU SAID IT! Wheels fall off disability access in Douglas
Letters and Comments
Kylie Alicia Forrest
I have been saying it for years and have had numerous conversations with customers about using their wheelchairs in PD. Sometimes I think we live in a bubble in this town.
Lisa St Pierre
I know Kai at the Mossman Pool was getting together a Grant to provide better access, maybe touch base with him and see how he went. I was in a wheelchair for a few months and it was an eye opener to the lack of services in our community.
Rochelle Thompson
Don't get me started on how steep the camber of the roads are in Mossman! Crossing them with a wheelchair is an extreme sport.
JC Walker
Well done Council, put up our rates but can’t even fix a lift at the local pool. It’s just disgusting!
Jean Marashalian
I’m not disabled but it is something I have noticed since moving here, the steps at the pedestrian crossing are a prime example, there is a ramp to the left but it ends at a drain, it wound difficult to manoeuvre a wheel chair over it. Many of the footpaths are uneven and narrow, footpaths disappear completely. At the bottom of Grant street at Chillies there is just gravel for people needing to get to the Neighbourhood Centre with a walker or disability scooter, it is easier to use the road. Not ideal for those with a disability.
Daphne Timms
Take note next time you go shopping in Macrossan Street, how many ‘Tradies’ park in centre disabled areas!! Most days these spaces are taken by bales. Sad really.
Ann Marie Akiko
Also the disabled parking is v limited and only on one side of Macrossan St ~ which is difficult as many motorist drive too fast to be able to push a wheelchair safely across the not flat road . The disable parking down near Owen St which is extra wide and the yellow lined disabled entry area, is mostly occupied by abled bodied persons, or work utes ,whom swear at you if you point this out. Many time we weren't even able to enter our car until they returned as they parked in this disable entry space ,never an apology just ableism and/or being sworn at. I rang council many times the standard line was call Main Roads they control disabled parking ..isn't that a council job to advocate for the people ,even the disabled and their Carers?
Lynn Herron
Umm folks yes it would be great if the Council provided better access crossing the roads and parking. But the lack of disability access around the Coles Supermarket area, really should have been provided by the developer of the complex. Another point to think about is how many shops provide easy access into their shops and restaurants. The popular burger joint and certain pubs/bars on Macrossan are classic examples of being difficult to access for those customers in wheelchairs. So not only should the council step up, the shop owner should also step up to providing easy access.
Caitlyn’s career is soaring
Joanne Cowe
So awesome Caitlyn.
Karen Moffatt
Congratulations Caitlyn just awesome.
Noela Ann Brack
Congratulations Young Lady. Gee, I wish my Dad was still around to see this young Athlete Pole Vault, our Dad used to practice in his yard in Wilson St, Mossman and competed every May Day at The Mossman Show Grounds.
Kylie Wootton
Great article. Strong Caitlyn! We are all behind you Caitlyn.
Coconut palms facing the axe
Jonathan Twist
Cut down the Council , give us all a break.
Pam Burden
If they have to cut down coconuts, plant more palms that don’t have nuts. How about beautiful and slow growing lipsticks?
Bryan Hedges
Every hand, I repeat every coconut palm down the southern end of full mile beach has been earmarked with a yellow spot every coconut palm.
Flick Boucher
“The council’s Coconut Management Action Plan was introduced in the mid 2010s to reduce its exposure to public-liability claims and to protect people from being injured by falling coconuts, fronds and trees”. If public choose to sit under Coconut trees, it’s no the trees fault if a frond or coconut falls on them. Maybe Council should address the termite issue and not just cut down trees. Eliminate sources of moisture and remove dead or decaying wood around the tree to prevent future infestations, stop overwatering in certain areas, apply applications when needed. It’s not just Council, some resorts are also overwatering.
Jeanette Brentnall
A great way to ensure continued beach erosion! The only things holding the road together at Pebbly Beach are the root masses of the coconut trees. Removing the iconic trees of the tropics that tourists look forward to seeing is perhaps not a good idea?
Lindy Eckersly
Those palms are iconic; they were the first thing I loved about 4 mile nearly 45 years ago. At one point I was on the beach nearly every day for many months and not once came close to copping a coconut. Everyone knew not to hang out underneath them anyway. It was common sense.
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