Three walkways in Dubbo will be closed in an effort to curb anti-social behaviour.
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The walkways in Twichenham Drive, Kookaburra Close and between Sturt Circle and Davidson Drive have been closed by Dubbo Regional Council after complaints from residents.
Dubbo Regional mayor Ben Shields has also urged others who want walkways in their street closed to come forward.
“I’d encourage members of the public if there are other small walkways, which should never have been designed in these estates to start with, if there are others certainly come and talk to the council about it and if we can [we will] look at other ways, or indeed closing them, to make neighbourhoods safer,” he said.
Residents have raised concerns to council about the Kookaburra Close walkway since 2007, because it provides an escape route for criminals in the area.
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The walkway connects the cul-de-sac to the Dubbo to Yeoval railway corridor, which hasn’t been used since the 1980s.
Council received one objection to the closure. A resident of the area said it was a well-used path by law abiding citizens and a “few undesirable incidents” shouldn’t lead to it being closed. The objector said they didn’t believe closing the laneway would “solve the issues people are concerned about”.
Residents near the walkway between Sturt Circle and Davidson Drive have also been pushing for its closure for a long time. In 2014, 22 residents signed a petition to council calling for the laneway to be closed.
“These small walkway lanes are not being used for when they are intended for, and that is passive recreational pedestrian access, they’re being used for some quite anti-social reasons,” Cr Shields said.
“I know for a fact NSW Police hate these lanes and to think this council has been flexible enough to encourage these residents to come to council, requests that these laneways be closed and quick agreements are being able t o be made with neighbouring houses and properties to work out the best way forward when it comes to the disposal of that property has been fantastic.”
Cr Shields said it was great that after years of complaints the walkways would finally be closed.
The land from the walkways will all be sold to neighbouring properties.
Council has sold Twickenham Drive for $7830, Kookaburra Close for $7110 and the walkway between Sturt Circle and Davidson Drive has been split in half to be sold to neighbours for a combined $15,975.
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