A Katherine East laneway considered to be a magnet for antisocial behaviour is set to be closed following multiple requests over almost five years by a resident who feared for his life.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Final approval on the closure of the Hibiscus Court laneway was put to the council this week at the monthly Ordinary Meeting of Council after a report was tabled in June to allow for public objections.
The council received two submissions in favour of the closure, one objection and a late submission by the same person, also in objection.
In a written submission to the council, a Katherine resident stated the closure would "greatly impact on my ability to get to town".
Reliant on a mobility scooter, she said she often used the laneway.
"It is appalling the closure was public knowledge before residents of the Hibiscus Court knew. No letters addressed to the residents in Hibiscus Court were sent out. This is a complaint," she said.
"Do not close the right-of-way. I need this access."
The laneway has long been a cause for concern for residents on Hibiscus Court.
At a council public question and answer session in June, a Katherine resident, 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 at the time.
"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 in a council report it was noted the area had been "subjected to much graffiti and abuse by members of the public."
"I have spoken to people at length and I really think we have no other option than to close the laneway," Alderman Peter Gazey said, "even though the requests to keep it open are valid."
The woman in objection went as far as seeking legal help from the Katherine Women's Information and Legal Service.
Although a late submission, the council took the complaint on board.
"[The resident] suffers from a disability which requires her to use a mobility scooter to get around town," the submission read.
"[She] is unable to walk for long distances, and therefore relies on her mobility scooter to undertake even her most basic daily activities.
"The permanent closure of the right-of-way would have a severe impact on [the resident's] ability to safely access the shops and services in town... [and] would mean that [she] will be forced to travel in her mobility scooter on busy roads and past many driveways, due to the lack of consistent and reliable footpaths in Katherine.
"[The resident] is concerned that her safety, and the safety of other people with disabilities in Katherine is being compromised, and believes that accessibility should be prioritised in this decision."
Acting Mayor Liz Clarke acknowledged laneways in Katherine have been a "nightmare" since she arrived in 1968.
"We have tried many things over the years... gates and such but people just jump over them and cause more havoc," she said at the council meeting.
She recalled a successful closure of a Katherine laneway, which had been a hotspot for antisocial behaviour.
"The resident bought the little piece of land and it solved all the issues... there is always someone who will lose from a closure.
"We have other laneways and it will be interesting to see if the behaviour moves."
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.