Wheelchair user Josh Greenwood wants the standard of disability access in The Levee to be reassessed.
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The Rutherford resident travels to the mall area everyday to visit his disability support service, grab a coffee and catch up with friends.
Since the pavers, made from imported Italian stone, were installed Mr Greenwood’s daily visit has turned into a painful nightmare.
The rough, uneven surface he now has to meander over makes it very difficult and exhausting for the wheelchair user.
“I am very unhappy about the dreadful quality of the laying of the pavers,” he said.
“The manoeuvrability of my wheelchair has become unbearable.
“It is bumpy, rough, uneven, it is just not user-friendly.”
The 30-year-old said on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the most-difficult, using a wheelchair at The Levee is a 9.5.
Mr Greenwood also has medical problems with his right leg and any abrupt knocks cause him pain.
This pain has become a daily occurrence because he said it was near impossible to wheel his chair the entire way down the mall without knocking his leg.
“I have seen blokes fall over and I have even fallen once,” he said.
“I just wish they would rip it all up and start again.
“I really don’t think it would pass for disability access.”
Maitland City Council released this statement in response to Mr Greenwood’s claims.
“Component one of The Levee development has been designed and constructed in accordance with Australian Standards.”
Earlier this month government agency Work Cover raised concerns about pedestrian safety in The Levee.
Work Cover had alerted council to health and safety concerns in the area including slippery tiles, unsafe walkways and traffic hazards.
The council said it was common practice for Work Cover to contact contractors during construction projects.
Stage one of The Levee project is due for completion at the end of August.
