By Candice Boyle
DISCARDED syringes, poor lighting and rubbish are stopping residents from fully utilising almost 350 laneways in the City of Maribyrnong, according to a recent study.
Maribyrnong City Council has approved $60,000 for the renewal of laneways and has adopted a draft laneway strategy to manage their use throughout the municipality.
Councillors adopted the draft last month following independent consultation with 216 residents with laneway access to their property.
The city has a total of 349 laneways with a combined length of 32.6 kilometres.
The deputy mayor, Cr Dina Lynch, said Maribyrnong’s laneways were a vital asset for the community as they provided essential access to property and were part of the history and culture of the municipality.
“These laneways are part of the heritage of the area and, as such, need to be maintained,” she said.
Cr Lynch said biggest issues for residents chosen for the study were safety, cleanliness, maintenance and obstructions.
“This included potholes, the dumping of rubbish, discarded syringes, a lack of street lighting and a concern about people loitering and behaving inappropriately,” she said.
Council also appointed consultants to investigate the use and management of laneways and the condition, usage, linkages and cleanliness of each.
The laneway strategy will be displayed at the council offices, on the council web page, and at the council libraries until next week.
