Hero needs a crossing

Illawarra resident Chris Paull has a new lease on life after he was partnered with his Seeing Eye Dog, Hero.

With the help of Hero, Mr Paull said he had regained his independence and was no longer "housebound".

"I'm completely blind in my right eye and I've got about three per cent vision in my left eye," Mr Paull said.

"I was too self-conscious to carry around a white cane, my wife used to tell me when we were at the shops that some people would point and stare, so it's made a hell of a difference."

Although he has regained his mobility, Mr Paull said a lack of walkways and crossings presented a challenge to the vision impaired community, and to the elderly.

With the help of Vision Australia, a submission has been put to Wollongong City Council for the introduction of a zebra crossing on Northcliffe Drive, near the intersection with George Street at Berkeley.

"It's not just for the vision impaired, it's for the young people and the elderly who want to get to the walkway along the lake," Mr Paull said.

A council spokesman said an inspection had been carried out.

"Council supports improved infrastructure for people with disabilities. However, in this case, as Northcliffe Drive is a four-lane road, a zebra crossing cannot be installed as it would increase the risks to pedestrians crossing the road as motorists may not be able to see a pedestrian due to other vehicles obstructing their view of the crossing," he said.

The roundabout was appropriate for the numbers of vehicles and pedestrians.

"If traffic and pedestrian volumes increase, the intersection may have to be upgraded," he said.

An intersection with signals would give pedestrians better access across Northcliffe Drive, but there were no plans for such an upgrade.

"At this time, the most appropriate pedestrian facilities are the existing pedestrian refuge islands through the central median island," he said.

Seeing Eye Dogs is calling for puppy sponsors.

25 Australians a day learn they will lose their eyesight, a figure expected to rise to 80 per day by 2020.

Each puppy costs more than $30,000 to raise and train, all of which is funded by sponsors and donations.

Mr Paull said he couldn't imagine his life without Hero.

"I can tell him to take me to the pub or the shops and he just takes me," he said.

Anyone who wants to make a donation or sponsor a puppy can visit www.sed.org.au or call 1800 422 077.