Knox Council okays controversial footpath to Boronia Heights Primary

A GRUMPY group of Boronia neighbours have lost a battle they have fought for half a century to stop a footpath being built on their street. This is why they didn’t want one.

Angry Boronia residents are upset Knox Council is building a footpath connection between Montana Avenue and Boronia Heights Primary School. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A GROUP of Boronia neighbours have lost a 50-year battle to stop a footpath being built that would connect their street to a nearby school.

Backed by a petition of support, Knox Council has emerged triumphant in their bid to build the path leading from Montana Avenue to Boronia Heights Primary School.

But long-time Montana Ave residents, such as Jack Barrand, have accused the council of underhanded tactics.

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“There’s been very little communication and basically no consultation,” Mr Barrand said.

But Mayor John Mortimore defended the council’s move.

“Council sent out a letter to all locals in the area asking for submissions and allowed people to have their say,” Cr Mortimore said.

He said one of the main reasons to build the footpath was to allow children and parents better access to the school in wetter months.

“We have kids and parents having to walk over wet nature strips and mud to get to school,” he said.

It’s understood the footpath will cost about $85,000.

Montana Avenue Boronia residents do not want a footpath, but they’re getting one. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Long-time neighbours have resisted plans for a path since the early 1970s, but a petition from a woman who lives several hundred metres from the school, which attracted hundreds of signatures, helped get the council’s backing.

The street does not have direct vehicle access to the school and was used weekdays by dozens of parents to drop off their children.

The neighbours now fear it will lead to more drop-offs in their street and eventually an accident.

“If you put in a footpath here, more parents will drop their kids off and with the way some parents drive around here, that’s asking for trouble,” Mr Barrand said.

Montana Avenue resident Jack Barrand. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“It shouldn’t take a little one getting hurt for common sense to prevail here.”

When Knox Leader visited the site, several parents were seen speeding down the street to drop off their children at the school, nearly hitting parked cars, only to take several minutes to try to turn back out.

A mediation meeting is planned for coming weeks.

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