Beryl Hevers is getting used to playing the waiting game.
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When she and her husband moved into Orange 20 years ago there were no footpaths in their area – but they did expect one would be built soon.
Particularly as the previous owners lived there for 20 years without a footpath.
As Orange City Council is calling for public submissions on its proposed budget that would include a significant boost to its spending on repairing and installing footpaths Mrs Hevers is hoping that maybe now something will happen in her Annis Avenue area.
“I think that every street should have at least one cement footpath,” she said.
“Even in Bel Air, that’s not an old area, they don’t have a cement footpath.”
She was commenting on a story in the Central Western Daily this week in which Lords Place residents complained about the condition of their footpath opposite Wade Park.
“The people in Lords Place were complaining but at least they do have a footpath. There’s nothing here.”
Mrs Hevers said the grass nature strips were bumpy and when they dipped down at driveways it was difficult for people to walk on, so most people took to the roads.
“A lot of the people around here are older.
“People like to walk, but for your own safety where there is a bit of dip down, you don’t see it.
“At least on a cement path it has yellow paint on it where the dips are.
“I like to go for a walk, but I walk on the road, it’s safer.
“If you break a bone, it’s [not good],” she said.
“I saw a couple of people with wheelie walkers yesterday and they were going on the road.”
Mrs Hevers said the footpaths should have been installed when the estate was built – now some 40 years ago.
“Everyone’s entitled to have a footpath,” she said.
The proposed budget plans to increase the amount allocated for new paths and footpath maintenance.
Council spokesman Nick Redmond said the council was proposing to spend $320,000 on footpaths in the next financial year and $350,000 in each of the following three years.
That’s up from the $70,000-$80,000 that has been spent annually in recent years.
He said now was the time for residents to have their say.
Comments on the budget can be left online at http://yoursay.orange.nsw.gov.au/budget-2017
David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
