Tauranga City Council is closing for six months the walkway that drops down from Sapphire Drive to Harrisfield Drive off Poike Road, to see if crime drops off in the area.
The decision is in response to complaints from residents in the area, who in 2008 tried to have it closed but were declined as it conflicted with the council's policy on promoting walking.
This walkway is being closed for six months to see if this makes any difference to the area's crime rate.
This time around residents beside the walkway are offering to pay an estimated $15,000 in legal fees to transfer the walkway from public to private ownership.
The offer wasn't taken up when it was discussed at the full council meeting on Monday. Complainants say that since 2008, the burglaries, prowlers, and people peering over fences and going into properties has continued.
Councillors chuckled when walkway neighbours complained their fruit trees were on occaison being stripped, and the stolen fruit offered for sale to the owners.
One couple with a young child was threatened by a youth carrying a hunting knife, says Councillor Bill Grainger, who was the proposer of the six month closure.
Councillors supported the temporary closure, but not a subsequent resolution to begin the lengthy process of closing the walkway permanently.
As a walkway, the Department of Conservation will be involved in any permanent closure.
3 comments
Dreadful precedent
Posted on 22-03-2011 17:17 | By JSmithington
Instead of closing publicly owned land, criminals should be dealt with by the Police. After this decision all public land is fair game. Residents who knowingly have bought near a walkway or park can now demand the council closes it so that it becomes their private property. Goodbye Kulim to Ferguson Park walk. But I wouldn't expect Cr Grainger to be able to understand that.
No precedent set
Posted on 22-03-2011 21:28 | By Murray.Guy
The narrow and steep walkway originally was to provide more direct access for students from Sapphire Drive to a proposed education facility. The education facility is now not proceeding. The walkway serves no purpose other than to provide an alternative escape route following anti-social / illegal behaviour, and an as alternative walking route. It's closure will reduce options for criminal behaviour, adding significantly to the affected residents ability to enjoy their home environment, their sense of safety, in particular during the hours of darkness.
Cr Grainger ignored other residents wishes
Posted on 23-03-2011 18:08 | By JSmithington
Some residents in that neighbourhood don't want the walkway closed. They bought their properties with the walkway present. Their rights have been taken by the Council's actions in closing a public walkway. Why did Cr Grainger ignore these folk? What public land is next to be privatised?
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