Wānaka disability community 'left out'

Otago Daily Times

2 days ago

Bailley Unahi. Photo: ODT Files
People with disabilities say they have not been considered or consulted in Wānaka's town planning, leading them to be disadvantaged.
An Upper Clutha Community Board member and several Wānaka residents with life-altering disabilities said there had been little consultation around access and equipment for those who needed it.
In 2008, Bailley Unahi was on a Dunedin balcony listening to Kiwi band Six60 when the balcony she and her friends were on collapsed and she was crushed beneath it.
"I looked up to see what the noise was. I didn't even realise what it was, didn't have time to make any move and then it crushed me — the balcony with all the people on it."
Since then, she has been in a wheelchair. But not one to let barriers hold her back, she moved to Wānaka to pursue a career in occupational therapy and take up ski racing.
"I still want to do all the things other people can do. I think in this area, the people who are involved in the planning of the facilities aren't aware of what needs to be done or how to do it."
As part of her job, she is helping others adjust to life-altering accidents that have left them with physical and intellectual disabilities.
From what she had heard and in her own experience, the council did not speak to the community enough about what was needed to live a relatively regular life.
"I really want those living in the area and travelling here to be able to experience the same thing everyone else can."
Her first goal is to get more information online about where in town has access for those who need it — be it eateries, accommodation, sports or trails.
Miss Unahi said she had contacted several businesses as well as the Queenstown Lakes District Council and Lake Wānaka Tourism, but had heard nothing back.
A council spokesperson told the Wānaka Sun it was considering a review of its disabilities policy and that would involve community feedback.
The council's current approach was to support and advocate for the development of a more inclusive and diverse community.
"It will respond to the needs of disabled people living in and visiting our district, with a focus on removing barriers to their full participation in our community, and acknowledges and respects the diversity within the disability community," they said.
Miss Unahi said Wānaka was not user-friendly for those with disabilities. While the streets and some trails were well thought out, there were public facilities and private businesses with no wheelchair access.
For example, the Lake Wānaka Centre has no upstairs access for wheelchair users.
"There are areas to improve. From a wheelchair users' perspective I manage most places but there is always events upstairs at places we cannot access. I am excluded from those events."
When she moved to Wānaka several years ago, she found the information to be lacking and all research had to be done herself. Miss Unahi would take a friend with her on trails, as a fall-back option in case she "got stuck".
"We want to experience our backyard, but we are not really considered and it is isolating. Even accessing the lake is a common frustration for all of us. So you just don't go.
"Consultation with people that have had these lived experiences isn't happening. The big barrier for us is information."
Community board member Linda Joll was also frustrated by the lack of consideration given to those who needed it.
She said disability groups in Wānaka had approached the board for safer crossings and she was disappointed that Bike Wānaka was given priority by the board to plan stage four of the lakefront development plan.
Priority had been given to active travel and cars, she said.
"There should be full consultation required with all community on this jewel in the crown for the lakefront, which must include iwi, Wai Wānaka, Heart of Wānaka, the disability groups, business owners, property owners. None of these groups are aware of this dissecting of the plan."
Board chairman Simon Telfer said council policies around accessibility covered off consultation.
"I don't think when they're doing planning they can necessarily go out and consult with individual groups each time. I assume the policies are being followed as opposed to every time they're going out and consulting with a group.
"Accessibility and ensuring that we have infrastructure that's inclusive for everyone is a real priority for the board, so that's always taken into account.
Mrs Joll asked the mayor about consultation for other groups but she had not yet received a response.
Meanwhile, Queenstown Lakes District Deputy Mayor and Wānaka resident Quentin Smith, who is a paraplegic after a 2008 paragliding accident, said Wānaka was more disability friendly than most.
"I would say Wānaka isn't bad in terms of accessibility, mostly because these are new buildings. We have grown so rapidly so there is not a lot of older buildings."
He had little trouble in the town, as the pathways, parking and often buildings were accessible for someone in a wheelchair. However, the council was open to feedback.
"The attitudes are generally very accommodating and supporting and any shortfall in the provision is a result of not knowing there is a problem than opposed to not being able to come up with a solution."
Mr Smith is a member of the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust and was instrumental in making improvements to the town's active networks and pathways for all users.
This work included flattening trails and removing unnecessary barriers.
Mr Smith admitted the town's main place to gather, The Lake Wānaka Centre, lacked good facilities for those with disabilities.
"There are cases we can do better and in time we hope to be able to build a lift."
Mountaineer and published author Dave Vass has been in a wheelchair since 2015 after a mountaineering accident in Fiordland resulted in incomplete tetraplegia. He said in the 25 years he had lived in Wānaka, the town had improved for people in need of wheelchair accessibility.
"It's a mixed bunch. Some of the tracks are fantastic, the new tracks around Mt Iron into town are quite good. Once they hit town you have to rely on footpaths, but that has all been improved."
Vass said businesses could pay more attention to detail.
"Eating out is a classic one, if you are in any kind of power chair you don't fit under tables, it is only 100mm difference for us. Wānaka is terrible for that, no-one caters specifically for wheelchairs; they are crowded places also.
"When those things don't happen and when it becomes a bit hard it means you don't go to places and wheelchair people aren't seen to be out, it can get too hard."