More than half of Victoria’s 79 councils are demonstrating their commitment to support users of mobility aids through a Recharge Scheme initiated by Nillumbik Shire Council in 2006.
Funded by the Victorian Government’s MetroAccess initiative, in partnership with Local Government, the program encourages local businesses to provide a powerpoint and donate power so that people with an electric wheelchair or motorised scooter can recharge their battery if required.
Recharge stickers are displayed on the windows of participating businesses so wheelchair and scooter users can easily find them. Stickers are also placed above or near powerpoints so that visitors can quickly ascertain which powerpoint has been designated for them to use.
Nillumbik Shire’s MetroAccess and Inclusion Coordinator, Angela Lampard, said Council established the scheme locally in response to an increasing number of residents with restricted mobility using electric scooters or wheelchairs as a means of transportation.
“Negotiating the steep roads and footpaths of the Nillumbik area means that batteries run low more quickly and deter people from travelling longer distances,” she said.
“The establishment of the MetroAccess initiative enabled us to gain funding to respond to these needs and draw on the strengths of Local Government and the community to ensure people who use an electric scooter or wheelchair can further participate in community life.”
Angela Lampard said the program was representative of a broader need across Victoria, and as such many other councils were quick to follow suit and encourage businesses in their own areas to participate.
She said the scheme now comprises
55 of Victoria’s 79 councils and more than 1,000 businesses.
“Nillumbik continues to facilitate the rollout of the program and we have developed a website to assist with information and support,” she said. “We also recently employed a Recharge Scheme Project Officer to better assist with enquiries and endeavour to get every Victorian council on board.”
Angela Lampard said the establishment of the Recharge Scheme has been enormously successful, with many people now experiencing greater confidence when accessing their community.
“For many, their electric scooter/wheelchair is their primary means of transportation and the Recharge Scheme enables people to venture out for longer periods of time, without the fear of being stranded,” she said.
For further information visit the scheme web site at www.rechargescheme.org.au
