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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 08 Hansard (Thursday, 5 August 2004) . . Page.. 3609 ..

(3) How often are footpaths in residential areas surveyed to check where repairs might be needed;

(4) If footpaths in residential areas are not regularly surveyed for this purpose, why not.

Mr Wood: The answer to the member’s questions is as follows:

(1) Whilst a number of sections of footpaths in Dutton Street Dickson are cracked or have other minor defects, only 42 blocks require repair.

(2) Repairs in Dutton Street Dickson have been programmed to be completed by the end of November 2004.

(3) Urban Services carried out three major path surveys between 2000 and 2002 involving approximately 2,280km of footpaths and cyclepaths. These surveys were undertaken at a network level and involved recording the general condition of paths in terms of extent and severity. The results of the survey indicated that approximately 7% of the paths in Dutton Street were in poor condition. If a result of 50% or greater was indicated in a particular area a more detailed condition assessment would be undertaken of those areas.

Since completion of these surveys, residential footpaths and cyclepaths are surveyed for repairs in response to requests from members of the public.

(4) Enough information was gathered during the three major path surveys to enable maintenance and capital work planning. Each of the areas surveys will be resurveyed in the next few years to enable continued program planning. Currently surveys are targeted on high-risk areas such as suburbs with major shopping centres. It is expected that Dickson will be surveyed in 2004-2005.

Mobility scooters
(Question No 1617)

Mr Cornwell asked the Minister for Urban Services, upon notice, on 24 June 2004:

(1) Further to a Letter to the Editor entitled ‘Footpath Safety’ in The Chronicle of 22 June 2004, page 26 in relation to the rules pertaining to the use of mobility scooters for older and disabled people, what rules pertain to the use of such mobility scooters on (a) roads, (b) footpaths, (c) designated cycle paths and (d) recreational paths;

(2) Is it the case that these scooters are not allowed on the roads and designated cycle paths; if so, why not;

(3) Why is it that cyclists are allowed to use the roads when mobility scooter drivers cannot;

(4) Why should mobility scooter drivers be compelled to use the footpaths when many footpaths are in a state of disrepair thus posing a hazard for drivers of these vehicles;

(5) Is the Government liable for damage or injury sustained as a result of mobility scooter drivers being made to travel along damaged footpaths; if not, who is liable.

(6) What are the rules pertaining to mobility scooters when there is an absence of a footpath and the driver is forced to use part of a road to continue their journey.

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