Background:

The plans for the Spotlight site development were advertised in Oct 2013 and subsequently approved by Council. Whilst plans were advertised, the community were really not aware of this or the impact on local access.

In October 2014, before the Spotlight/Anaconda development was actually started, advocates highlighted to Council that access from the Gardiners Creek Trail to Clarice Rd would be possible if a way through the Spotlight site was negotiated with the company. It was suggested that it be a condition of Council acceptance of the plans.

Council officers rejected the idea and noted that a stair with a ramp was all that was required. Officers took no pro-active measures to actively follow up about this or to consult with the community.They discouraged advocates from making contact with the developer to directly advocate to them.

However a letter was written to the Spotlight Board asking them to liaise with Council to enable this to happen. No reply was received, but building contractors working on the project for Spotlight noted several times to advocates that Council officers were very slow to respond.

Recently a WATAG member was visiting OfficeWorks nearby. If this entrance had been available she would have used it. Instead she rode on the footpath of Middleborough Rd and was knocked by a car, breaking her leg. To add insult, the police fined her for footpath riding.

The community needs this entrance re-engineered to make it accessible to all users - those walking, on bikes of all types, parents with prams, disability carts and appliances.

We ask Whitehorse City to work with Spotlight Group Holdings to make this entrance to the Spotlight/Ananconda retailers, and the entire nearby retail locality, one which can be used safely and conveniently by everyone in the community.

Peoples health and lives are a stake.

Retailers will get increased patronage.

Please sign if you agree that this ramp needs to be replaced with something more suitable for all to use.