New safety measures have been added to a Coast seawall after a legally blind pensioner fell from it, resulting in concerns about accessibility.
Steve Minton, 71, fell from the TS Onslow seawall at Golden Beach in May, leaving him with wrist, shoulder and hand injuries that affected his preparation for a major sporting event.
Mr Minton said he slipped while walking near the steps and landed on the boat ramp below.
“I landed on my wrist. I hit my shoulder on one step on the way down and it saved me because I actually rolled and it took a bit of the power out on my fall,” he said.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said one fall had been reported at the TS Onslow seawall since construction was completed, and changes have been made since.
“Accessibility and safety considerations were incorporated throughout the design process, with the seawall constructed in accordance with relevant Australian Standards, including requirements that consider access and safety for people with disability and vision impairment,” they said.
“While the seawall was delivered to Australian Standards, council also engaged an independent accessibility consultant to review the site and identify opportunities for additional safety enhancements.
“As a result, a number of measures have been implemented, including the installation of high-contrast black step treads and additional seating and table settings.
“Council is continuing to monitor the area and undertake ongoing risk assessment reviews.”
Mr Minton said he also damaged his Apple Watch during the fall, which he relied on for accessibility and health-related functions.
“As a vision impaired person, the watch is extremely important to me,” he said.
“It does my full detection, my blood pressure and my blood sugars. All of those functions have stopped, and nobody knows why.”
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Mr Minton said he lodged a claim with council regarding the damaged watch and was initially offered around $500 through the insurance process before the full cost of the watch was later accepted.
Mr Minton said he believed accessibility considerations for people with vision impairment needed greater attention.
“I was told clearly that the seawall was manufactured to all Australian seawall specifications. And I said, ‘But what about the people with disabilities?’ And they said, ‘There’s no ruling on that’,” he said.
Councillor Terry Landsberg said he had spoken with Mr Minton about the matter and would continue to advocate for a fair outcome.
“I understand the concerns he has raised about both the fall and the support provided afterwards,” he said.
“It is important that residents’ concerns are heard and considered, particularly where accessibility and public safety are involved.”
The injury also affected Mr Minton’s participation in blind lawn bowls, just weeks before he competed at the Australian Open.
Mr Minton won the Australian Open in Blind Lawn Bowls the previous year and returned to compete in June while recovering from the fall.
“This year I had to play with the injury. I had a hand brace on, and I didn’t win it again this year. I was expected to,” he said.
He said he was still undergoing treatment for injuries he believes were caused by the fall.
“I have had investigations on perpetual headaches since the incident and I’m still getting physio on ligament or tendon damage in my wrist,” he said.
A council spokesperson said its liability claims were managed in accordance with council’s Insurance Liability Claims Management Policy and associated Guidelines.
“Council is unable to comment further in relation to individual claims,” it said.
“The seawall was designed and constructed in accordance with applicable standards and requirements.”
The TS Onslow seawall was rebuilt by council in partnership with the Australian and Queensland Governments following significant coastal impacts from the 2021-2022 weather events and the widening Bribie Island breakthrough.
The $6.3 million project included a 208-metre rock seawall, concrete stepped wall, two staircases, an integrated beach access ramp and landscaping improvements.
