Sutherland Shire Council plans to spend $95,000 on a footpath at Miranda, which some residents say is unwanted and unnecessary.
They believe the project is being driven by “someone with connections” – a claim rejected by the council.
They believe the project is being driven by “someone with connections” – a claim rejected by the council.
“There is no personal interest from any elected or staff member of council in identifying footpath projects to include in the footpath construction program,” a spokeswoman said.
About a third of the planned 800 metre long footpath will be on neatly maintained grass slopes, dotted with trees.
The work, which is due to start soon, will require costly retaining and the removal of several trees.
Craig Sheaves and next door neighbours Kevin and Chris Mackay said the council had not consulted residents before developing the plans, which appeared a fait accompli.
They said they had reasons for believing personal interests were involved.
“We have been here 38 years and no one came and said, ‘Do you want this?’ Ms Mackay said.
“I haven’t talked to anyone who is in favour.”
Mr Sheaves said when he told his mother, who has lived in the street since 1954, she said, “Why are they wasting money on that?”
“We are constantly being told the council is short of money, and yet they seem to have no problem when it comes to this work, which I have been told will cost more than $100,000.
Mr Sheaves said very few people walked on that part of Matson Crescent, and he had never heard complaints about it being difficult.
He said the E G Waterhouse National Camellia Gardens were at the other end of the street, but a long way from where the new footpath would be built,
The council spokesman said the footpath program was developed according to a shire-wide needs analysis, using technical criteria.
Criteria included risk assessment, renewing footpaths in poor condition and to fill the gaps in the existing footpath network in close proximity to shopping centres, schools, public facilities, medical establishments, aged persons facilities and significant generators of pedestrian activity.
The spokeswoman said the 2015/16 budget allocated $1 million for the program.
”Council’s existing footpath network is more than 500 kilometres, which increases every year under its construction program,” she said.
“With an aging population, accessibility of footpath and pedestrian links will be increasingly important.
“A new footpath along Matson Crescent will improve access for all ages and abilities in an area with high foot traffic to neighbouring attractions such as the Camellia Gardens.
“The proposed footpath in Matson Crescent will also form part of footpath network linking the Camellia Gardens, Laguna Street Public School, President Avenue bus stop, Miranda rail station and Westfield Miranda shopping centre.”
The spokeswoman said the project was included in the four year rolling footpath construction program, which was adopted by the council on June 1, last year.
“The consultation process is currently underway,” she said.
The spokeswoman said the preliminary design had identified removal of five small trees and shrubs.
They would be replaced according to council’s police of five new trees for every one removed.
