Pressure has mounted on the City of South Perth to allocate money to repair a small footbridge after South Perth residents voiced their frustration over its lack of access for people with disabilities.
Lake Douglas footbridge, in Sir Mitchell Park on the South Perth foreshore, was closed almost four months ago after a city assessment found “key structural elements” were “no longer structurally sound” and “beyond repair”.
But locals have expressed their disappointment over its limited access for people with mobility impairments.
South Perth resident Amanda Coldham grew emotional after speaking at last Tuesday’s general electors’ meeting and said the bridges “enhanced” the lives of people with disabilities.
“For the elderly, disabled or children, bridges provide an opportunity for them to enjoy short walks and wheelchair access opportunities, enhancing their and their carers’ day-to-day lives,” Ms Coldham said.
“These lakes and bridges that we have all enjoyed for decades should be a main priority to maintain and repair in the 2024-25 budget so that future generations can continue to enjoy them like we have.”
The city’s infrastructure services director Anita Amprimo said the city was “preparing options” to allocate money to refurbish the bridge in the upcoming budget.
Ms Amprimo said a replacement bridge would cost between $800,000 and $1 million.
“The city is preparing options including high-level costings for the refurbishment or replacement of the bridges for council’s consideration during the budget-setting process,” she said.
South Perth resident Annie Harris, a speech pathologist who works with people with disabilities, said removing the bridge would have an “extensive” impact on people with disabilities by limiting lake access.
“The whole community has access to the lakes by the bridges (but) removing the bridges removes access to lakes for people with disabilities,” Ms Harris said.
“In the council Strategic Community Plan for 2021 to 2031, they state the key strategic directions are (a) diverse community, being inclusive, safe, connected and engaged.
“I find it difficult to understand why the council are removing access for people with disabilities when this is point one of the council’s Strategic Community Plan.”
South Perth resident Michelle Terry said she wanted the council to treat the bridges as a priority.
“There’s one thing to start new projects, but why not maintain things that need money spent on first before looking for better things,” she said.
City of South Perth CEO Michael Bradford encouraged residents to provide the city with written feedback.
“In something that’s localised like this, I encourage people to reach out to their ward councillor as well,” he said.