Martyn Noakes and Jimmy on the railing he believes poses a risk.
Martin Kennealey www.communitypix.com.au   d483156
Camera IconMartyn Noakes and Jimmy on the railing he believes poses a risk. Martin Kennealey www.communitypix.com.au d483156 Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey www.communitypix.com.au d483156

Safety concerns at redeveloped Scarborough foreshore

Laura PondStirling Times

SOME visitors to Scarborough foreshore say areas of the redevelopment are potentially dangerous.

Mindarie resident Helen Randall is a frequent visitor to the foreshore, which she described as a “great venue” but said safety needed to be improved around the 3.6m deep skate bowl.

“My main concern is kids falling into it, pedestrians falling into it drunk at night. It’s really dangerous,” she said.

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Mrs Randall criticised planning of the area.

“If that was a balcony and it had a drop of that level, residents would be forced to put up fencing,” she said.

“It’s a great big drop and yet they can have that in a public area.”

Martyn Noakes is worried that steel edging along the timber walkways could cause injury.

“Anyone falling or tripping on the exposed thin steel edge would no doubt receive either severe bruising or cuts, possibly both,” he said.

“The edge comes very close to roads and is patently a trip hazard.

“The multiple ‘guards’ are really going to seriously injure an errant unsuspecting child, pensioner or adult.”

The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority managed the project but has since handed control to the City of Stirling.

An MRA spokeswoman said it created a pedestrian-friendly environment that accommodated for cyclists, skateboarders, walkers, surfers, beach users, recreation and exercise of all levels and abilities.

“In addition to accommodating for a variety of uses, consideration was also given to accessibility requirements for wheelchair users, people with disabilities and prams, compliance with all relevant standards and durability of materials in a coastal environment and a high traffic area,” she said.

“Edging has been applied to the timber walkways to prevent prams and wheelchairs from running off the edge of the decking.

“As with all new spaces, visitors will take some time adjusting to the new surroundings and facilities.”

She said temporary fencing was placed around the skate bowl while the facility was reviewed and said level changes, street furniture and walls along the boundary aimed to act as barriers to control activity.

City of Stirling responds

CITY of Stirling community services director Trevor Holland said it had not received comments about the safety of the skate bowl but was aware of concerns about the steel edging of the boardwalks.

“The City is investigating these concerns and will continue to work to address them, if and when necessary,” she said.

“All feedback, positive and negative, regarding the redevelopment is carefully considered by the City and we will continue to work with the MRA to monitor the operations and uses of the Scarborough foreshore and consider mitigations where applicable to protect public safety and improve the visitor experience.”

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