An elderly Nethercote resident has blamed poor workmanship on Imlay Street's makeover for a fall he sustained last week.
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Gary Harkness, 73, injured his elbow, shoulder and head when he slipped on the smooth section of the new footpath and landed in the gutter outside Eden Post Office on Thursday.
Mr Harkness said the polished concrete was “like ice” in the rainy conditions and he fears that another frail or aged person may break a hip, or worse, in a similar fall.
“I slipped, became airborne and came down flat on my bum before banging my head on the concrete,” Mr Harkness, who is receiving treatment from a chiropractor, said.
Mr Harkness said it was not his intention to sue Bega Valley Shire Council or civil engineering contractors Guideline South Coast, but he does want council to fix the problem.
“I’m not seeking any personal gain but I’m a ratepayer and I expect the problem to be fixed as I believe I’m not the only person to have taken a tumble,” he said.
“I was wearing thongs, but thongs aren’t illegal,” he said.
He claimed a worker confided in him that a non-slip sealer was to have been applied to the footpath but that it “wouldn’t take”.
BVSC director transport and utilities Terry Dodds said Eden’s footpaths had been constructed in accordance with Australian Standards and others compliance guides.
“To ensure constructed footpaths met the desired outcomes and specifications, as part of the quality assurance procedures, slip testing was completed,” Mr Dodds said.
Tests were carried out in 10 ten locations on the two types of new surfaces and in all locations the results complied with or exceeded the requirements, he said.
“Nevertheless, council takes any suggestion, complaint or potential problem related to the public very seriously,” Mr Dodds said.
“Subsequently further investigation has been scheduled to ensure that every practical avenue and compliance requirement has been met or exceeded,” he said.
Email feedback to council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au or phone 6499 2222.