Hundreds sign petition for Cooks River safety overhaul after attacks on women at popular pathway

Safety concerns – after a recent attack on a woman – along Sydney’s Cooks River walkway are leaving locals on edge as sporting groups urge members to walk in groups or pairs along the dimly-lit pathway.

A resident who started the petition said incidents along the pathway included an assault on an 18-year-old woman.

Safety concerns including an attack on a young woman along Sydney’s Cooks River walkway have left locals on edge as sporting groups urge members to walk in groups or pairs along the dimly-lit pathway.

Almost 2000 people have signed a petition calling for urgent safety improvements along the Cooks River in response to incidents including an 18 year old woman who was reportedly attacked by a man at the underpass of Tempe Station.

Local resident Keira-Jean Mackenzie, who started the petition, said the woman managed to wrangle free from the man who “lunged at her” in the underpass before she sprinted to a friend’s house and called police.

A week after the incident, a 15-year-old girl called police after reporting being followed by a male stranger along the walkway.

The incidents have prompted local sporting group the Red Devils Soccer Club – which trains near the walkway – to encourage its members to remain vigilant and walk in pairs or groups.

Ms Mackenzie said urgent safety improvements including lighting and CCTV were needed.

“There are large sections where the path is almost completely unlit and even in areas where lights are in place, they are often turned off at night or ineffective and not maintained,” she said.

“Considering that so many football clubs, primary school aged children, teenagers and commuters use the path as their method of walking home it’s absolutely essential it’s made safe.

Lack of lighting is among the concerns raised by residents.

“It’s distressing that the pressure on staying safe is consistently put on women rather than ensuring the community is safe enough they feel able to walk home alone.”

The Cooks River pathway is located near multiple public transport links and parks including Kendrick Park and Mackey Park – resulting in many people using the Cooks River pathway to walk to and from work or sporting activities at night.

Speaking at an Inner West Council meeting, local residents said the need for safety improvements will be compounded by the upcoming temporary closure of the Bankstown Train Line which could force more people to walk along the river to access Tempe Station as an alternative transport option.

Inner West Council will consider new safety measures for the pathway.

One resident said the current safety measures in the area were a “what not to do” in urban design due to poor lighting, CCTV coverage, and excessive foliage.

Local residents who have signed the petition have also reported avoiding running along the river at night.

Other residents have described the walkway as “creepy”.

“I live in the neighbourhood and always avoid walking along the river after dark. This means I can’t catch the train home after dark,” one resident wrote.

A photo of the walkway at night.

A photo of the walkway.

“It’s incredibly poor lighting and doesn’t at all feel safe for a woman walking alone,” resident Karen Aldrich added.

The petition has prompted Inner West councillor Justine Langford to call on the council to work with Canterbury-Bankstown Council – which borders the Cooks River – to improve the existing walking and cycling trails on both sides of the river.

She said the improvements would address safety, accessibility and wayfinding.

Inner West councillors – at a meeting this week – will also consider a proposal to join forces with NSW Police to conduct a safety audit of pathways along the river.