Text of letter written in 2018

Your lead story in the NT News of January 18 2018 (Cyclists’s $227K Compo Payout) highlights what seems to be a deficiency in Local Government priorities. There is plenty of money to spend on big ticket items, for example Nightcliff Cafe, Parap Pool, the  East Point Sculpture and now the CBD. By comparison , cyclical care and periodic but regular maintenance of basic assets and infrastructure often appears to take a back seat. 

Mr Kent’s injuries were as a result of inattention being given to cycle path maintenance. I am sorry he was so badly injured but wonder why there have not been more accidents. 

Footpaths everywhere are disrupted by tree roots, posing a threat to pedestrians and bike riders. Trees and shrubs on verges (which are Council controlled) spill onto walkways and in places distort the road vision of motorists.  Not only do large areas of our suburbs look unkempt, but neglect poses a distinct danger to users of council thoroughfares

Our Council needs to regard Mr Kent’s horrible accident as a learning experience. Programmed maintenance of footpaths and street verges will help guard against accidents others might suffer.