Liam McNally
Kurunjang residents have created a petition urging Melton council to construct two pathways that have remained unfinished for more than 28 years.
At a recent council meeting Councillor Steve Abboushi tabled a petition signed by all 36 households in Thrice Lane, and 12 households in Gloaming Ride.
Housing lots surrounding Thrice Lane and Gloaming Ride end in turning bowls and were constructed in the 1980s and are separated by 55 metres of public space.
Petition submitter Paul Jenkins said that 35 years ago permanent barriers were installed at both ends of the roads, and no concrete footpath has ever been constructed connecting the two areas.
Additionally, the nearby laneway connecting Linda Place to Thrice Lane has remained incomplete for 28 years.
Mr Jenkins, who moved into the area in 1986, said the two lanes are popular walkways for parents and children travelling to the nearby schools, however the unpaved sections have become worn down and are prone to flooding, creating large muddy areas.
“It’s been 35 years, and they haven’t done a thing with the pathway, children and ladies with prams have to travel along and get their shoes muddy and wet,” he said.
“When you have a significant rate base which comes from 74 properties [in the two streets] and yet over a period of decades there’s been no return into such a simple little convenience.
“It just seems that if you think about the responsibility of councils – roads, rates and rubbish – and this has been overlooked for way too long.”
A Melton council spokesperson said council does have a plan to provide the footpath links through the 2022 Pedestrian and Cyclist Plan (PACP) which identified the footpath link between Thrice Lane and Linda Place, as well as the entire length of Gloaming Ride and Thrice Lane to be delivered subject to council’s ongoing budget processes,” they said.
“The plan looked at how we can expand the number of households in close proximity to safe routes, and improve connectivity by removing gaps, detours and connecting routes.
“Over 90 km of missing paths and 350 pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements were identified for delivery, with many projects already delivered or in the planning and design phase.“
