A Katherine man has called for the closure of a laneway near his house on Hibiscus Court after suffering years of vandalism and break-ins.
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At the Katherine Town Council's monthly public question and answer session, last week, the man, who wished to remain anonymous, explained he "didn't feel safe at home anymore" after years of torment.
"I had 10 young lads throwing rocks at my wife and me last year," he said.
"Money damage to your house is one thing, but when you fear for your life that is another thing."
The man said he had forked over thousands of dollars to fix broken windows and damage to his car, and clean graffiti from his driveway.
But the steep price of vandalism was nothing compared to the day his pet dog was stabbed over the fence with a "heavy broom handle sharpened at the point."
"To this day, people are going past swearing at the top of their lungs," he said.
"A neighbour had their house windows smashed three weeks ago.
"I fear for my wife and myself."
The Hibiscus Court resident said he had been fighting to close the laneway since 2014.
"Police have attended each time I call, and I don't do that lightly, and they have done a damn good job, but they don't have the support," he said.
Following the heart-felt plea, Katherine Town Council has proposed to permanently close the laneway, which runs between houses 10 and 11 on Hibiscus Court.
The closure of the laneway had come into question previously, but was dropped after it was found students use it walking to and from school.
At the KTC ordinary council meeting, Alderman Elisabeth Clark said laneways in Katherine have been the "cause of headaches" since she arrived in 1968.
"People have had rocks thrown at not just houses but themselves," she said.
"It is actually dangerous."
Katherine Mayor Fay Miller agreed saying, "laneways are notorious for antisocial behaviour".
While Alderman Peter Gazey pushed for an immediate temporary closure, the public will have until Monday, July 29, 2019 to lodge a written objection to the closure of the laneway.
Objections can be emailed to records@ktc.nt.gov.au.
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