Scott Parker, a resident of Wahgunyah for nine years, became concerned after he noticed an increasing number of pedestrians, including mothers with prams, walking on the road of Traton Street in Wahgunyah.
With no footpath, Mr Parker considers the street too dangerous to be walking along.
“The street is the main thoroughfare to town. It is too narrow to accommodate the combination of pedestrians, parked cars and passing traffic. It is a recipe for disaster, particularly with the winter fog,” Mr Parker told The Free Press.
Long-time member and immediate past president of the Wahgunyah Progress Association, Alan Pleitner, also expressed his concern about the road.
“I would call it the most dangerous piece of traffic area in Wahgunyah,” Mr Pleitner said.
After consulting with Mr Pleitner, Mr Parker took action and organised a petition for a footpath to be installed in the busy street. He experienced no trouble obtaining signatures to support a paved path.
“Within five days, we had 113 signatures. People were incredibly supportive and telling me that it was long overdue,” Mr Parker said.
Mr Parker hopes that a footpath would extend from the Blanche Street intersection to the Morley Street intersection, a distance of about a kilometre.
“At the end of the day, it is about safety. We want to keep kids and families safe,” he said.
Indigo Shire Councillor Bernard Gaffney said that Indigo Shire Council unanimously agreed, at its monthly June 30 meeting, that the petition would be presented as part of the budget at a special meeting of council on July 14.
“Scott Parker requested I table a submission to council concerning the priority for a paved footpath in Traton Street Wahgunyah,” Cr Gaffney told The Free Press.
“I moved a motion at the June 30 meeting, that it be placed on the agenda at the special council meeting on July 14. The petition is to be formed as part of Council’s submission.
“I am sure council will take it into consideration and have an open mind on the subject.”
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