One small move would open up Rodney’s world

Rodney Johnson relies on a wheelchair and mobility scooter to get around.

He lives at Blue Haven, on Birdwood Dr, right opposite a fire trail known as the Birdwood-Alambee fire trail, well-used by the community for all sorts of purposes, especially as a direct route to shops and other services.

Hamish Brock is Rodney’s support worker and lives in the unit above Rodney.

Rodney suffers from a degenerative condition known as Spinocerebellar ataxia, a group of progressive, neurodegenerative disorders that affect the cerebellum, spinal cord, and brainstem causing a loss of muscle control, coordination, and balance.

He is also non-verbal.

Hamish estimates the fire trail to be about 10m from Rodney’s front door and says it is used by the entire community, especially at the weekends by children with their parents, push bike riders and people going for a fish or for a walk.

But not Rodney.

His mobility scooter is just a tad too wide to get through the gate.

Hamish has contacted Central Coast Council several times, requesting that a post blocking Rodney’s access be moved about 100 mm.

“He literally opens his front door and can see the fire trail,” Hamish said.

“I have requested them to make the gateway 100 mm wider or whatever it needs to be for Rodney to get his mobility scooter through.”

The responses have infuriated Hamish who describes them as discriminatory and “putrid”.

Council staff have said the existing fencing infrastructure was specifically designed to restrict general access and the fire trail was for operational purposes and limited to council maintenance crews, the RFS and other emergency services.

But, in another email, staff acknowledged the trail was accessed by pedestrians for the purpose of “low-impact walking, as they do at present” and that Council could not provide “a level of service any more than this”.

Hamish said he understood that in Australia, a pedestrian included somebody who used a mobility scooter.

“This was such a kick in the teeth for Rodney because he heard the conversation,” Hamish said,

“He heard him say that if Rodney could walk, it would be okay for him to lift his bike over the fence like other bike riders.

“Rodney is listening to you blokes; he is in a wheelchair and he’s never going to ride a bike.

“He’s never going to walk.

“Rodney wants to go to those shops; he also wants to go to the men’s shed which is just on the other side in San Remo.

“If nobody is supposed to be using this trail, why have they got a gateway that’s open?

“Why is there a walk-through?

“Why is everybody using it?”

“I’m not going to give up, no way.

“It’s absolutely wrong what they’re doing.

“They exclude one person.

“You can see it from our window, from the front door and people are going down the track and Rodney can only ever watch them.”

Central Coast Council’s response proved cold comfort for Rodney and Hamish.

While a spokesperson reaffirmed Council’s position on the use of the fire trail, the pair were advised to access a guide developed by Council to help locals and visitors “find some accessible bushland destinations, reserves and foreshore areas on the Central Coast”.

“Council has explained the purpose of Council’s fire trails is for use by emergency services in the event of an emergency such as bushfire, and also for Council maintenance crews,” the spokesperson said.

“Fire trail access is restricted by gates to prevent access by unauthorised vehicles and motor bikes and to prevent risks such as fire, illegal dumping and environmental degradation.

“The public is able to access our fire trails for low impact walking, however our fire trails are not designed or constructed in accordance with the Australia Standards for access for mobility scooters and wheelchairs.”

Denice Barnes