It’s undertaken extensive research to determine the most cost effective way of doing the job and opted for a series of surfaces at a total cost of $14,886.90. One option would have cost $30,613.80.

There are eight strips of raised surface along Grey Street providing two crossings. Some of the strips guide blind people to a crossing and the others simply indicate where there are hazards.

Council officials and councillors have trodden a difficult political path. A representative of Guide Dogs NSW was worried that if the warning strips were too small, blind people could “veer” in the wrong direction at risk to themselves from traffic. In the end, the current system will be reviewed and and changed if blind people are led in the wrong direction.

Other disability groups were concerned that if the raised strips were too big, the bumpy surface from the strips might make it difficult for wheel-chairs.

There were also concerns that the beauty of the inlaid Celtic symbol outside the Town Hall would be impaired if a new raised surface were put over it or close to it.

In the end, the council says that there was a compromise. “This way the council met everyone’s needs and that’s what inclusion is all about”, said Janine Johnson, the council manager for community services.