A veteran Geraldine businessman has called on the Timaru District Council to take action before the undulated footpath in front of his café causes serious injury to pedestrians.
Papillon Restaurant and Cafe owner, Kokmeng Hui, 62, said he first complained about the impact of the roots of a tree in front of his business in August 2018.
Hui said the footpath now posed a danger to his customers, passers by and himself.
Papillion Cafe and Restaurant owner Kokmeng Hui wants the tree removed that is lifting the footpath outside his business.
"This morning a lady nearly fell down. I myself have fallen down twice.
"If they don't do the job soon, it might be too late because someone will get injured."
Hui said all he wanted was assistance.
"I am not trying to make trouble. I just want some help," he said.
Hui said he spoke to a Geraldine-based council employee in August. The complaint was passed on and three council workers arrived in September to assess what was wrong, he said.
"They said they will go back and talk to their superior. They have not been back since," Hui said.
Kokmeng Hui is worried a pedestrian will be injured on the undulating footpath in front of his business.
After waiting five months but seeing no action, Hui said he once again approached the council and was referred to Geraldine councillor Kerry Stevens.
"Mr Stevens said they have to plan to do the whole thing, which could take a long time ... even the whole year."
Hui said he called Stevens again last Friday and was told the job had to wait for approval.
"This cannot wait. Somebody will get hurt soon."
Hui, who has been running his takeaway business on Talbot Street since 1988, said he had been further frustrated by the fact that a tree had been removed from the front of another business on the street.
Stevens said he was aware of Hui's concerns and had personally spoken to him.
"I have passed his complaints to council to take necessary steps," Stevens said.
"I can understand his perspective. Sometimes ratepayers are frustrated at the slow rate of progress when they complain.
"On the other hand ratepayers are also frustrated when large amounts of money is spent."
Stevens said Hui's problem will take some time to be fixed as it was a long process and had to be "addressed by the roading and parks and recreation staff".
He said a report had to be prepared and presented to the community board for consideration.
Thereafter a design had to be drawn up before submissions were made for a tender.
Timaru District Council land transport manager Andrew Dixon also urged Hui to be patient and said the council was looking at all the trees as part of an upgrade of the Geraldine Town Centre.
"We have to look at a complete strategy and not isolated cases," he said.
"A report will be made to the community board soon and it will progress from there."
Dixon added he would personally go to Geraldine on Wednesday to "see for himself" the state of the footpath.
In October 2018, Stuff reported the NZ Transport Agency approved an additional $42,600 for the Timaru District Council to upgrade footpaths in Geraldine over the next financial year.