THE ongoing matter of which government body will take responsibility for the sole, dilapidated road into the Kalano community (pictured) continues.
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In response to inquiries by the Katherine Times, a spokesperson for the Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment confirmed that the first 130 metres of McKeddie Road was an unmaintained access over vacant Crown land, adding that Katherine Town Council would be the “appropriate authority” to take ownership.
“As a local road, within the town of Katherine, the Katherine Town Council would be the appropriate authority to take ownership of the road and responsibility for ongoing management,” the spokesperson said.
“However, the road is not a formally created public road [by survey] and, as such, has to been formally handed over to the Katherine Town Council.”
Kalano Community Association chief executive officer Rick Fletcher said it was time for either the NT government or the council to accept responsibility and facilitate repairs.
“Kalano can’t be the meat in the sandwich here,” he said.
“We don’t have responsibility for getting a road gazetted.
“We’re a ratepayer like everybody else, and the road that we travel on should be appropriately managed by either the local council or the Northern Territory government, and we’re open to a discussion, however, the responsibility has never rested with Kalano. “The road is there for members of the public to travel on.
“If a fatal accident were to occur on the road, would we need to wait for a coroner to escalate this?”
Council CEO Neroli Dickens said the organisation had not been “intentionally dismissive” of the issue but argued that any change in asset ownership would require vigorous discussion between all stakeholders before a formal process could be instigated.
“Clearly, the road is either the responsibility of the Northern Territory government or the Katherine Town Council,” Mr Fletcher said.