House break-ins, vehicle thefts prompt six month trial closure of Leanyer laneway

A walkway in Leanyer will be closed for at least six months in response to residents’ concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area.

A walkway in Leanyer will be closed for at least six months in response to residents’ concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area.

A WALKWAY in Leanyer will be closed for at least six months in response to residents’ concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area.

City of Darwin aldermen on Tuesday supported a recommendation to shut the laneway from Humbert Circuit to Rosewood Crescent on a trial basis at the request of multiple residents, after they reported 19 separate incidents including house break-ins, vehicle thefts and noise complaints linked to people using the thoroughfare.

City of Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said he expected the closure would reduce anti-social behaviour in the neighbourhood.

MORE TOP NEWS

Covid testing and quarantine directions announced for NSW after positive case

Huge trucks take over the Darwin CBD as the Supercars Transporter Convoy hits the town

City of Darwin council approves Gardens Oval lights to keep shining at 500 lux following trial

“(It means) people do not have a way to escape, they don’t have a way to hide, they don’t have a way to distribute things,” he said.

“By closing strategic laneways, we can eliminate certain behaviour in the area.”

The decision came after two weeks of community consultation by council, including a letterbox drop to 70 homes near the walkway.

Mr Vatskalis said based on the results of the consultation process, council did not believe the closure would impact public access in Leanyer.

Council will review the walkway’s closure when the trial ends on November 30.