Locals take fight against ‘redundant’ footpath policy to council, motions raised

Worn footpaths are being replaced with dirt in one Darwin suburb, with residents saying it sets a precedent against safety and accessibility. See where it’s happening.

Worn footpaths are being ripped up rather than repaired across Darwin suburbs, in line with an eight-year-old council policy that’s only now coming into action.

Wulagi residents are slamming the City of Darwin’s decision to replace several of the suburb’s bitumen footpaths with dirt and grass seed.

The move has left wheelchair users and cyclists to travel across driveways and roads in the busy residential area, which is bordered by Lee Point Road and Vanderlin Drive.

Resident Rachel Pickett said nobody was made aware of the move, with the dirt left unwatered and not maintained in several areas along Curlew Circuit.

“As soon as the big rains come the drains will block up,” she said.

“Myself and my family used the footpaths a lot, especially when I had a major operation last year to treat breast cancer.

“I had to use a walking stick for 12 months, and I still sometimes have difficulty walking long distances and over rough surfaces.

“My retired parents and in-laws actually moved to the area to help me with my recovery, and they walk to my place several times a day.

“None of us were told what was happening.”

Quail St path has also been removed. Picture: Floss Adams.

City of Darwin Mayor Kon Vatskalis said a policy to remove decrepit footpaths where there was a functioning one on the opposite side of the road was voted in eight years ago.

“They were to stop doing any maintenance or work on the old bitumen ones and have new cement ones on one side of the road,” he said.

“Currently we have about 500km of concrete footpaths.

“The cost would be big (to replace worn footpaths) but certainly if council decides it can happen, it will be happening.”

Ms Pickett and almost a hundred other Wulagi residents who signed a petition have at least three councillors on their side.

Waters Ward Councillor Brian O’Gallagher has raised a motion for a moratorium on the policy, while Councillor Sylvia Lambrinidis-Klonarishas has also formally sought information on its financial impact.

Better accessibility is also a key priority of the third Waters Ward Councillor Kim Farrar, who won the ward’s by-election at the weekend.

Kim Farrar

“Like many residents I am very concerned and wish to reverse existing council policy to remove what council deems as redundant footpaths,” Mr O’Gallagher said.

“I believe the priority should be to retain and maintain footpaths for community safety and accessibility.

“I and a number of the new councillors are actively looking to revise the policy.”

Ms Pickett described the move as “penny pinching”.

“It seems like Wulagi is the guinea pig for the council to start removing footpaths and I’d say Fannie Bay and Leanyer would be the last,” she said.

“Once all of Darwin wakes up to this policy and lack of consultation the council will have egg on its face.

“They should want to make the city liveable and accessible for everyone, and to encourage cycling and active transport.”

Originally published as Locals take fight against ‘redundant’ footpath policy to council, motions raised