Blue Mountains City Council is looking into offering free recharging facilities for scooter users.
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According to Councillor Mick Fell, the move to look into a recharging facility - basically a dedicated power point – for electric wheelchairs and scooters, comes following “many [pre-election] requests from residents with mobility restrictions”.
An electric socket in place at Springwood Town Square has been available on an ad hoc basis for years, but is not permanently activated because of safety fears during wet weather.
“It wasn’t designed with that particular use in mind … and could potentially cause a safety issue,” he said.
Cr Fell is proposing the new point could be at the Hub which operates during business hours. He was set to ask for a report into the issue at Tuesday night’s [October 25] council meeting.
“Electric wheelchairs and scooters have transformed the lives of many of our residents, offering independence and the opportunity to socialise, shop and generally take part in the day-to- day activities on offer in our towns and villages,” Cr Fell said.
“These battery-powered devices have a limited range, however, and cold weather, sloping surfaces and other factors can result in the batteries running down inconveniently and, perhaps, unexpectedly.”
Edward Versteeg, 51, of Springwood, has a manual wheelchair but is very supportive of the idea. He also expressed concerns that council paid equal attention to ensuring local footpaths were made accessible and safe.
Cr Fell said users wanted to “be more confident in planning their visits to the town to … give a greater margin of safety for those operating at the limit of their range”.
“I am pleased to take this issue forward to council, hoping that recharging facilities can be provided not just here in Springwood, but more broadly throughout the Mountains and beyond.
“All that is needed is access to a power point in a safe, sheltered location. I see it as an extension of our current provision of facilities that facilitate access for people with disabilities – accessible buildings, accessible toilets, the removal of barriers to movement around our towns.”
Cr Fell said the in-house report would look into where the power points were best placed, the cost and, later, what other towns might benefit.
”Springwood will be the pilot.”
He said a key, similar to those used with disabled toilets, may be needed to operate the socket to ensure it is not used for other purposes.
