In Melbourne's Prahran neighbourhood, one elderly couple has captured the hearts of their community through their daily walks.

The couple lives on Westbourne Street and are well-known for strolling the streets together each afternoon.

But lately, their walks have become more difficult as age has affected their pace.

As the 'lovely' pair need to take more breaks, and there was an apparent lack of benches in their area, the neighbours immediately sprang into action.

'Their neighbours have rallied, placing their own outdoor chairs out for them,' one user shared on social media.

An elderly couple used the chairs placed by their neighbours for a quick break during their daily walk. Image source: Facebook.

But someone in the neighbourhood wasn't happy about this act of kindness.

'Sadly the council has been quickly (within a day!) removing the chairs yet has been ignoring multiple requests for a permanent park bench on the spot.'

The user also shared that residents were more than happy to fundraise to cover the cost of the benches.

'Why remove the temporary chairs but not offer any solutions?' the user continued.

'This has been going on for months. It is sad, and it is shameful. Let’s support our elderly neighbours.'

A photo of the couple was shared smiling while sitting on chairs set on the footpath. Two notes written on cardboard were taped to the pole behind the seats, with one urging the council to leave the temporary seating in place.

'Due to a complaint to council this chair will be removed,' it read.

'Please contact the council to advocate for permanent seating for our friendly neighbours.'

The post ruffled the feathers of many other Aussies, with one calling the removal of chairs as 'disgusting'.

'Ridiculous that someone complained to council about a couple of chairs,' one woman replied.

While another commented that it 'would not be appropriate or practical to put seats through all our residential streets'.

Now, council member Kate Hely revealed that 'another neighbour has been in contact with council for a while' regarding the issue.

'And as of an email I saw on Saturday, officers are looking at installing a standard bench seat in the area after they consult with neighbours,' she added.

Locals were grateful for and pleased with the update.

However, the woman who shared the photo said it may take 'months if not years for the council to [take] action'.

'I understand that these processes can feel long, but it is important that officers go through the process to ensure that there is majority support for the bench locally,' Ms Hely replied.

'I have faith in the goodness of people, so I can’t foresee this will be a big issue. I have alerted the CEO to the issue, given it has received such strong community concern.'

Key Takeaways

• Annoyed neighbours in Prahan, Melbourne, have provided seating for an elderly couple to rest during their daily walks, only for the chairs to be repeatedly removed by the council.
  
• Local residents have been demanding permanent park seating and have even offered to fundraise for the installation.
  
• A photo posted online, showing the elderly couple sitting on the footpath with a note requesting the council to leave the temporary seating, has led to a public outcry.
  
• A Stonnington council member, Kate Hely, responded that the council was considering installing a bench after consultation with neighbours, but locals fear it could take years for the council to take action.
  

Members, do you have a similar problem in your area? What has your council done about the concern? Share your stories with us in the comments below!

 

[marni]

I suppose, if the elderly couple met with an accident while using an unstable chair on council property, they could be sued. And as well meaning, as the residents are, same could happen if they move the chair to their own property.

This could happen if you invite friends - this couple seem nice enough to invite to an outdoor cuppa