Oliver Lees
With the front entrance out of sight due to ongoing roadworks on Horne Street in Sunbury, Country Care Group (CCG) is concerned vulnerable members of the community are not getting the services they need most.
CCG is a family-owned and operated distributor of health care products, ranging from mobility aids, wheelchairs and specialised seating products.
As well as providing a delivery service of products to hospitals and homes, CCG also provides in-store advice to customers on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and other older residents and people with disabilities.
Since July, the store’s entrance has been obscured by wire fencing, which has been erected as part of the preliminary works on the Gap Road level crossing removal project, according to CCG national NDIS manager Michael Smallwood.
“The wire fencing is literally about a metre from our main front entrances, and then they’ve got their concrete barrier near that,” Mr Smallwood said.
“As you come down the road you can’t see buildings or the signage. For our customers who are aged or living with a disability, it might be confronting for them to get to the store.
“My viewpoint is that we support the progress on the level crossing works… we just hope people are aware we’re still open.
“People who are vulnerable are more timid, and so it’s stopping some of those individuals getting what they need to make their lives better and more simple.”
Mr Smallwood said that even during the strict COVID-19 lockdown last year, the store was much busier than it is at the moment.
“Technically it is still wheelchair accessible, but imagine the sound and vibration in a wheelchair with roadworks going on. Plus, many people with disabilities have secondary mental health issues as well,” Mr Smallwood said.
Roadworks are expected to be ongoing on Horne Street until the end of 2022.
To contact the store, call: 1800 843 224
