Former Kyabram Council mayor Kevin Andrews has raised concerns about the broken and “hazardous” tiles along Kyabram’s main street.
Photo by
Kyabram Free Press
Former Kyabram Council mayor Kevin Andrews has expressed his concerns regarding broken and “hazardous” tiles along Kyabram’s main street.
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The footpath straddling Allan St, home to the town’s best coffee and lunch options and the best place for visitors to grab a pie after a long day at the fauna park, is covered in tiles.
These have become a point of concern for the 91-year-old, who says he has reported not one, not two, but 24 broken tiles to Campaspe Shire Council over the past couple of years to no avail.
The highest concentration of damaged tiles appears to cluster around the Union and Allan Sts roundabout.
A broken tile outside the Free Press office on Allan St.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
“A shire representative advised me that it did not comply with the criteria of a 4cm gap,” Mr Andrews wrote in a letter to the Free Press.
“We are not talking about the concrete footpaths with raised edges, which are promptly repaired — we are talking about the integrity and beauty of our main street.
“Our complaint is the lack of maintenance; ratepayers deserve better than this.”
Mr Andrews played a crucial role in the streetscape committee that shaped Allan St's current appearance.
In 1984, he, along with Brian Hilton, Doug Crow, Carol Howell and shire representative Ralph Cop, worked to redesign Allan St, which included beautifying the streetscape.
The streetscape committee employed town planner Johnathon McNoughton to help with the work, which included removing the powerlines that criss-crossed the street and commissioning Murray Ross to create an art piece on the roundabout.
Council infrastructure director Kate Lemon said investigations were undertaken following Mr Andrew’s concern; however, the defect “had not reached the intervention level”.
However, council is looking into finding a solution to this concern for the long term.
“Although the broken tiles still do not meet intervention level under the Road Management Plan, council officers are looking at interim and long-term solutions to resolve the concerns with the broken tiles,” Ms Lemon said.
A broken tile outside the Free Press office on Allan St.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
A time frame for a future plan was unable to be provided, as the investigation is ongoing.
Mr Andrews expressed his wish that Allan St's charm and appeal be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
“I am now 91 and my plea to the shire on behalf of our community is that the hazardous broken tiles be replaced — at least in my lifetime,” Mr Andrews wrote.
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