Shire admits communications oversight

Baw Baw Shire has admitted a communications breakdown led to footpaths on both sides of a Warragul street being closed at the same time.
In response to a Gazette inquiry following a complaint by a nearby resident, who relies on a wheelchair, the shire said there had been an oversight to communicating to the contractor that it was normal policy for work to be done on one side at a time to minimise disruption.
Sections of the footpaths on both sides of Stoffers St were replaced earlier this month because they were deemed to be unsafe and could have caused pedestrians to trip.
The shire statement said while the footpaths were inaccessible, pedestrians could have used gravel pathways in Eastern Park or the concrete footpaths through Henshall St, Burton St and Albert Rd.