VIDEO and photos of Logan City Council’s streetscape upgrade in Main St, Beenleigh have raised serious concerns about safety.
One video shows an excavator which seemingly has four workers at the front of the machinery. There is no visible spotter at the rear of the reversing digger as people walk in and out of the bakery behind it.
Another shows cars, in daylight hours, driving the wrong way down Main St, which has become one-way.
In a third video, a man in a wheelchair struggles to navigate the footpath outside a local shop. Traders are open during the three months of construction.
Other photos show exposed concrete up to 20cm deep posing a potential danger to pedestrians, particularly the elderly or those in wheelchairs.
Videos came from safety cameras outside Cash King which have caught the behaviour of all workers on camera.
The store’s buys and loans manager Jamie King said on one occasion when he raised safety concerns, one of the workers said: “**** off. Go and see council.”
A worker was caught on camera throwing two shovels onto the footpath outside the Cash King shop, seemingly in disgust.
When Mr Ryan did see council officers as the worker had suggested, he says he showed the same videos and photos to officers, without a response.
They were dated June 21 and 22.
A council spokesperson claimed in a statement that economic development officers had suggested taller fences which provided more visibility to stores.
Mr Ryan said lower fences were non-compliant with safety standards.
But Mr Ryan said videos were not about the economic viability of his business. Rather, they were about safety to pedestrians, shoppers and workers along Main St.
He said a makeshift step outside the bakery was about 20cm deep and was there for three weeks, unfinished.
One video shows an elderly man stumbling over uneven ground.
“Health and Safety Queensland needs to see these videos,” he said.
“Where’s the spotter at the back of the digger? Who was responsible for traffic management when cars went down the wrong side of the street? Why were there no signs warning people of hazards when they started digging up the footpath?
“Footpaths have been narrower than the required 1.5m, there is open concrete, and this has been going on for months.”
Most traders in the street have said they are experiencing financial distress during the construction phase. Jobs have already been cut.
Some have said they are looking forward to the completed streetscape attracting more foot traffic, and more interest in Beenleigh’s CBD as a feasible place to do business.
Mr Ryan said he’s experienced a decline by more than 50% in trade during construction. Other business have reported similar or worse.
The council spokesperson said: “Council staff have consulted extensively with Main Street businesses throughout the project and have continuously monitored public safety and access through regular safety audits and specific pedestrian access audits.
“Council has deployed business advisors to walk the streets to ensure that impacted businesses are supported.
“As a result of council’s engagement, an alternative fencing arrangement was offered to improve visibility of shop fronts.
“Over the construction period the design of the project has been amended to address concerns of businesses.
“Council takes its obligations towards the health and safety of the public seriously and has proactively addressed any issues that have risen.”
Work on Main Street and John Street is expected to be finished in August. On-street parking and two-way traffic is scheduled to resume later this month.
