Exclusive: Residents of a serene cul-de-sac in Perth found themselves puzzled when they noticed workers marking the street outside their homes.
Earlier in November, they had received a letter informing them about the upcoming installation of a footpath on a nearby street.
However, the families living on Godin Court were unaware that their street was also included in the plans until contractors appeared on their doorsteps.
It was only then they discovered a detailed design plan tucked away on the final page of the letter, showing a footpath sketched along one side of their street.
The notes accompanying the plan indicated that constructing the 1.8-meter wide footpath would necessitate the removal of plants, vegetation, and other landscaping features.
Residents have expressed strong opposition to these changes.
Jane*, who spoke to 9news.com.au on the condition of anonymity, said locals don’t want to see their grassy yards replaced with metres of concrete.
“We live in a very quiet, secluded, green, safe cul-de-sac which is very family friendly,” she said.
“The kids play cricket in the cul-de-sac, neighbours come out and stand under the trees, we congregate on the grass, we talk to each other.
“And having a nearly two-metre-wide concrete footpath [installed] is detrimental to our sense of community.”
She said the footpath will negatively impact multiple residents’ front verges, where children play, and owners walk their dogs, without adding any real value.
Godin Court isn’t a main thoroughfare and doesn’t see much foot traffic during the day.
Dog walkers and bike riders come through sometimes, but it’s a typically quiet street.
According to Jane and several other locals, they weren’t properly informed or consulted about the footpath.
Many claim they did not receive early information flyers, and the November letter did not mention their street by name.
It was only when neighbours started talking amongst each other that they realised what was at stake, just weeks before work was set to start.
City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin told 9news.com.au that information flyers were distributed to all residents in February 2025.
“The flyer provided advanced notification of a footpath and outlined the benefits and rationale for providing a safe and accessible path network,” he said.
Jane claimed she and other residents never received the flyer.
The City of Stirling council was made aware that some residents of Godin Court did not receive the flyer and apologised.
However, Irwin also said that notifying residents with a letter on November 7 complies with the council’s policy and procedures.
They require a minimum 14-day notification period for new footpath construction.
“After the recent notification letter, the City received several enquiries, primarily from residents of Godin Court,” Irwin said.
Jane’s just disappointed that their little slice of heaven will soon feature an extra 100m of concrete for no good reason.
“It just seems a waste of resources and unnecessary,” she said.
“People are bothered by the lack of consultation and the lip service that’s been given when we’ve pushed back.”
