Dubbo councillors were split in the decision to close the walkways at the recent meeting.

Some councillors argued for more time to talk to the public, but for those who supported the decision, including mayor Ben Shields, it was something that needed to be acted on quickly.

The walkways to be closed in east Dubbo are: Lancaster Park Place to Carisbrook Park, Twickenham Drive to Chrisbrook Park and Erica Close to St Georges Terrace.

In west Dubbo there is: Gumtree Avenue to Horizon Place, Horizon Place to Meadowbank Drive, Medowbank Drive to Springfield Way, MacKay Drive to the public reserve behind Yawarra Community School, Meurer Court to the public reserve and Rivergum place to the public reserve.

Cr Shields said he had been told by police that the laneways council has already closed had been highly successful.

"They have actually caused a decrease in crime in that area and residents are happy with the results," he said.

While closing the lanes wasn't a "silver bullet to crime", the mayor said council could only assist in making the areas safer.

"You never see a nice little old lady taking a stroll through them, it just doesn't happen. They're seen as a way for criminal elements to evade police, to be sneaky when it comes to matters in the night," Cr Shields said.

"It's something we need to act on and we need to act on it quickly."

Deputy mayor Stephen Lawrence was one of the councillors against the closure.

He was concerned about making it more difficult for children to walk to school. Cr Lawrence wanted to speak to residents in each area before a final decision was made about the walkways.

Councillors Shields, Kevin Parker, Greg Mohr and Dayne Gumley were in favour of the closures going ahead. Councillors Jane Diffey, David Grant and Stephen Lawrence were against the decision.

Councillor Anne Jones had a conflicting interest and didn't take part in the vote, while councillors Vicki Etheridge and John Ryan were absent from the meeting.