Published on Tuesday, 7 February 2023 at 3:00:16 PM
Katherine Town Council will trial closing five laneways in East Katherine by late March, in an area which has been identified as a break in hotspot.
“We have listened to residents who have been scared and intimidated in their own homes,” Mayor Lis Clark said. “We will monitor this trial and see what its outcomes are.”
The five laneways are:
- Fordham Court to Maluka Drain
- Hudspeth Place to Maluka Drain
- Frangipanni Court to Maluka Drain
- Acacia Drive to Maluka Drain
- Sandalwood Crescent to Maluka Drain
Laneways have reportedly been used for people to escape from police, to throw rocks on residential houses, and to scope out properties for break ins and jump into yards.
“There are multiple reasons for this trial,” Mayor Lis Clark said. “Unfortunately, these laneways are used more for antisocial behaviour than as a walkway.”
Council already has a few permanently closed laneways and both Darwin and Palmerston are similarly closing problematic laneways. This trial comes after Council’s new Laneway Management Policy was passed at Council last year. It will run for six months after which time Council will look at the feedback and possibly extend trials to other areas.
Flyers will be distributed to residents in the area. Council, in partnership with the Jawoyn Aboriginal Corporation, will also clear and clean up Maluka Drain around the same time.
Laneway Closure flyer
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