Mobility Access - Council makes steady progress

Taupo District Council is working closely with a local advisory group to improve mobility access around Taupo.

The Taupo Mobility Access Reference Group (TMARG) was established by Council two years ago to monitor and recommend actions to improve mobility access around Taupo for people of all ages with an emphasis on the Central Business District. The group comprises representatives from local organisations directly involved with people who have mobility issues, Council staff and elected representative Cr Bernard Chrustowski. Council has also appointed Mrs Lynne Cooper as a Council representative to the group.

In the past two years in response to recommendations from TMARG Council has spent around $10,000 annually from its footpath maintenance budget to improve mobility access.

Group member Aileen Buchanan of the Lakeland Disability Support Trust says a priority list was drawn up identifying sites where mobility access needed improving and Council has made steady progress with a number of projects.

“Council has been very receptive to positive and helpful suggestions from both the group and members of the community and we are thrilled with the progress that has been made. We are now working with Council planners to try and ensure that initiatives are followed up on from the outset of planning,” said Ms Buchanan.
Improvements have included adjustments to kerbing in and around the CBD, the provision of an additional five mobility car parks adapted for side and rear downloading of wheelchairs, repositioning of gratings adjacent to crossings, alterations to traffic islands and time phasing of traffic lights.

Group Manager Infrastructure Services, Ted Anderson says the kerbing improvement project is “work in progress”. He says Council aims to have completed kerb upgrades identified on the TMARG priority list on roads under Council jurisdiction by 2010.

An accord has also been reached with cafes and retailers to ensure adequate clearance for wheelchairs and twin strollers is maintained. In response to an approach from TMARG Council is also looking into providing a parking space in Taupo’s CBD to cater for a growing number of electric buggies.

Cr Berhnard Chrustowski, recently appointed as a Council Representative on the Mobility Group said that he was impressed with the initiatives that have been achieved to date.

“The TMARG group has had some real wins and I am looking forward to working with the group and getting some more planned activities underway, to make a difference for our disabled citizens,” said Cr Chrustowski.

Anyone with mobility issues or suggestions should contact TMARG administrator Carole Parker, Community Support Manager, Taupo District Council Ph: 07 376 0805 or e-mail cparker@taupo.govt.nz