Dannevirke: Footpath takes faltering steps forward

Bob Dresser

With the new walkway along Smith Rd and Adelaide Rd stalled after just a couple of metres, residents want answers.

"Why didn't the organisers of this thing call a public meeting so we could all have our say?" a concerned Adelaide Rd resident said.

"We were told it was all go, with everyone happy for access in front of their properties. Then we were told it was on hold until property owners along the route gave their consent and now we've a pretty untidy bit of track going nowhere fast.

"It would have been a sensible option to talk to everyone at a public meeting and get them on side," said the resident, who did not wish to be named.

The Dannevirke Community Board project finally took its first steps in late December, when contractor and community board member Ernie Christison turned the first sods on Smith Rd.

But at the time permission had been given for work to be undertaken on only a short section of the walkway on Smith Rd to the bridge, while consultation continued with one remaining property owner.

Responding to the concerns, community board chairman Bob Dresser told the Dannevirke News he had talked with the landowner and all was well.

"It's just a case of getting going again but when that will be I'm not sure," he said.

Mr Christison has spearheaded the project, first mooted in 2008 by Dave Martin, who lives on the opposite side of Adelaide Rd to the proposed new walkway. Mr Martin said the project had taken a long time to come to fruition. But he said the completed walkway would be a huge asset for Dannevirke, providing a safe route along a popular walking spot.

"Over the years I've watched as a lot of people have walked along here and, in lots of places, it's dangerous because the road is quite narrow," he said.