By Bruce Wardley
DIAGNOSED with motor neurone disease (MND) Peter Cording is less than happy with the new $5 million boat ramp and jetty at Maher’s Landing.
“It doesn’t meet Australian standards for wheelchair access,” stated Mr Cording.
Although motor neurone disease is relatively rare in Bass Coast and South Gippsland, MND damages the nervous system, and nerve cells start to die.
Currently, there is no cure for the life-limiting disease which causes muscles to weaken and waste away, leading to difficulties with breathing.
“I was so disappointed when Maher’s Landing opened,” explained Peter.
According to Mr Cording the ramp leading to the jetty and the jetty do not meet the minimum standards for wheelchairs.
Once a keen scuba diver and fisherman, Peter’s outings to points of interest such as Maher’s Landing, Inverloch, Cape Paterson and Kilcunda are rare opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
The Australian standard for jetty access to wheelchairs is a width of 880mm, with 180-degree turning areas 1500mm wide every six metres.
“At Maher’s Landing there is no passing area at all,” said Peter.
”I need to be able to back onto the jetty and turn around.”
Peter is now waiting for a solution so he can use the Maher’s Landing jetty.
“It was closed for twelve months and fenced off.”
When Maher’s landing re-opened Peter took one look at the jetty and turned back disappointed.
“I had been waiting to use it.
“I read with high excitement that the Maher’s Landing boat ramp and fishing platform was finished and as I have Motor Neurone Disease, a friend from Inverloch came and picked me up to have a look with the view to a fishing trip.
“Can you imagine my disappointment when I saw the walkway/ramp was only 1500mm in width from the start to the end of the fishing platform which allows only one wheelchair and one person to pass one another at a time?
“How do they expect a wheelchair-bound person to be in an environment with multiple people fishing, with a seat, bucket and rods and not enough space to pass them?”
The Australian standard specifies turning areas for wheelchairs allowing them to manoeuvre, along with kickboards and railings to stop wheelchairs from going over the edge.
“Are wheelchair-disabled people who love to fish been excluded from Maher’s Landing?” asked Peter.
Peter is now hoping Bass Coast Council can rectify the problem.
The old Inverloch jetty meets the Australian standards but on learning the Inverloch jetty is to be rebuilt on the west side of the current boat ramp, Peter is worried.
“The Inverloch jetty is one-point-eight to two metres wide.”
On the rare occasions Peter can venture outdoors the disabled parking area facing the Cape Paterson beach is much appreciated.
Mr Cording remembers launching a tinnie at Cape Paterson, “a reef protects you from the ocean swell.”
A long-time resident of Gippsland, having lived in Yanakie, Toora, Newborough, Churchill and Morwell, Peter says wheelchair access to Eagles Nest would be something.
“I once hired a boat from Port Franklin with a friend to go to Flinders Island,” said Peter.
The crusty shell of a very large rock lobster is a treasured memento from that diving trip.
“Access to the area’s coastal features adds to the enjoyment of your life,” said Peter.
“I miss boating.”