
A Bicheno tourist attraction development years in the making might be delayed indefinitely after concerns were raised about its legal viability.
The $600,000 Bicheno Triangle project, slated to land between a small section of turf between the Tasman Highway, and Burgess and Foster streets, first gained traction in 2014 as a means of "anchoring" tourists travelling the Great Eastern Drive.
The final master plan for the development, which included an almost seven-metre-high lookout, was endorsed by the community in 2016 and construction commenced soon thereafter.
Overseen by the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, the project began again accepting community feedback over proposed changes this year.
Bicheno local Lyn Hatton believed the seven-metre-high lookout, which does not have disability access, infringed on the Disability Discrimination Act.
As well as the lookout, the project featured concrete paths and accessible toilets.
GSBC general manager Greg Ingham said the project as a whole was disability-friendly, when considering the paths and toilets.
He said the council was "very mindful" of the Discrimination Act and endeavoured to prioritise accessibility.
"[But] there are certain circumstances where it is extremely and there are limitations to accessibility," he said.
Mr Ingham said there were not likely to be any amendments to the lookout to make it more accessible.
Original feedback on the master plan indicated it was well received by respondents although several areas where the plan could improve were proposed. One response called for improved disability access.
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Equality Building director Michael Small, and disability accessibility expert, said the council had an "obligation to ensure access for all members of the community".
"I would say, as a person well steeped in discrimination law for more than 30 years, there would be grounds for a legal challenge," he said.
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