When you think of the 1980s it was big hair and shoulder pads, but for Terralong Street in Kiama, it was the installation of the transverse rumble strip crossings to encourage motorists to reduce their speed due to high pedestrian activity.  

At the recent Kiama Council meeting, a report was tabled based on a request last year for a review and redesign Terralong Street’s bumpy road crossings. 

Council had applied for grant funding but this was rejected in June and no money has been allocated for this in the 2025-26 budget.

Darren Brady, the director for infrastructure and operations for Kiama Council, told The Bugle the rumble strips could still be getting a facelift down the track.

“Council staff will continue to seek suitable grant funding to cover the costs of the initial review and then subsequent grants for design and construction work as appropriate.”

Questions have been raised about whether they are a safe option for all pedestrians.

On the Kiama Council website, it states that the Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2023-27 “presents Council’s vision for an inclusive and accessible community and outlines key actions Council will undertake” with one of the key focus areas being “accessible and liveable communities”.

“The DIAP aims for an accessible and inclusive community that removes barriers to access and participation and enhances liveability in Kiama for those with a disability,” Brady said.

“The current transverse rumble crossings have blue stone located outside of the level concrete path, which provides an unimpeded crossing point for all users.”

Many of the crossings or refuge islands along Terralong Street, are absent of hazard tiles or tactile ground surface indicators, which assist those who have a sight disability.

This is of specific concern as this area is deemed by Council to be a high pedestrian precinct.

Alison Oyston, manager for Illawarra Advocacy, explained to The Bugle the importance of accessibility for those living with a disability.

“Accessibility isn’t just about convenience – it is about safety, independence and inclusion,” Oyston said.

“For people who are blind or have low vision, something as simple as crossing the road can be dangerous without the right design features."

When asked if Council would be open to exploring this at the rumble crossings, Brady could not provide a definitive answer, only what may transpire.

“If Council were to upgrade any of the crossing points in Terralong Street, the installation of tactile indicators would be installed similar to those at the pedestrian crossing near Rosebank Place and Kiama Leagues Club,” Brady said.

Oyston explained the benefits of the inclusive design and was firm in her stance towards the responsibility of decision makers.

“Inclusive design means dignity, independence, and equal access for all community members,” Oyston said.

“We encourage councils, developers, and planners to consult with people with lived experience of disability and advocacy organisations like ours when making design decisions – because accessibility benefits us all.”

In 2023, Kiama Council endorsed its new Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which aligns with the Principles of Social Justice and the Kiama Community Strategic Plan 2022-32.

The plan was further informed by the principles outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) and the NSW Disability Inclusion Plan 2021-25.