Darwin council expected to close problematic Karama laneway in bid to reduce local crime

Fearful and worried Karama residents want a troublesome laneway which leads to the suburb’s besieged shopping centre closed in a bid to reduce crime in the area.

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FEARFUL and worried Karama residents want a troublesome laneway which leads to the suburb’s besieged shopping centre closed in a bid to reduce crime in the area.

Darwin council will be recommended to close the laneway between Moreton Pl and McMillans Rd at tomorrow night’s council meeting after community consultation revealed concerns with several residents near the laneway in the area who felt unsafe in their homes.

“If I hear noise coming from the laneways, I am up at night not sleeping. I am very worried that someone well get hurt,” one resident said.

“(I’m) very supportive of walkway closure, have had concerns over the years and has spoken in the past to police and council,” another said.

Darwin chief executive Scott Waters said the decision was made despite the possibility of the crime being shifted rather than addressed.

The Karama laneway set to be closed. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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“It is evident the Karama and surrounding suburbs (including Malak) are experiencing critical levels of anti-social behaviour and community unrest at this time, as was outlined at a community led forum in December 2020,” he said.

“As a result, it is recommended that Walkway 209 be closed at night, however, with the understanding that issues may be displaced to adjacent walkways and areas, negatively impacting residents and community amenity where the displacement occurs.”

Neighbouring residents strongly supported the closure of the Karama laneway, though they will need to explore upgrades to fencing to ensure gates installed are not used by opportunists to gain access to the properties.

Residents had expressed concerns over the aesthetics of the gates, however, not wanting standard mesh fencing which made the suburb appear “under siege” or impacting on the value of properties.

The Karama laneway set to be closed. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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Council explored closing three further laneways in Wulagi, from Wulagi Tce to Sanderling St, Sanderling St to Grebe Ct and Kingfisher Cres to Union Tce, however mixed feedback returned to council will see them remain open.

The gates will be installed at a cost of $15,000 under council’s Safer City budget and are expected to be installed in early June if approved.

Originally published as Darwin council expected to close problematic Karama laneway in bid to reduce local crime