Boulter Highway locals in Darwin are increasingly concerned for their lives. Lack of infrastructure still fails to protect the most vulnerable in the absence of serious threats to pedestrians. Jason Desailly, a local resident, expressed fears that individuals trying to navigate the road could sustain injuries, particularly at night when visibility is poor. It’s not just politicians in Washington who are aware of the alarming trend. They’re not just calling for action; they are dynamically, urgently demanding action to address these long-standing issues.
Boulter Road is a diverse community. Having around 80 walkable units in Boulter Estate, 127 walkable units in Eden Estate, and 26 walkable units in Mirawood, it has a remarkable number of pedestrian-friendly units. Hundreds of people already call this road home, and the new development is on the way. Residents are most concerned about particularly poor infrastructure, where a lack of safe crossings puts everyone’s safety, especially more vulnerable groups including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, at risk.
Funding Cuts and Delayed Plans
As Cr Sylvia Klonaris pointed out, the design phase for upgrades on Boulter Rd should have started this year. In response to this growing pressure, the Northern Territory government recently updated its budget. Consequently, dollars for these vital capacity-adding upgrades have plummeted from $3.9 million to just $1.2 million.
There was a budget line specifically for it which would then take 18 months to deliver,” Cr Klonaris said. The abrupt cut has many shaken not just at where that leaves Boulter Road’s overdue upgrades.
In light of these developments, Cr Klonaris emphasizes the importance of addressing safety concerns: “It’s only fair in keeping it safe, but equitable for everyone.” Upgrading the whole infrastructure surrounding Boulter Road would cost upwards of $64 million. This hefty price tag raises questions about when, or if, the improvements will occur.
Community Voices Call for Action
Local residents and community leaders are very public about their anger over the infrastructure plans that have ground to a halt. Linda Lay, a long-time resident, expressed her dismay over the lack of progress: “I don’t know what happened to the plan. Once a couple of years flowed by I sort of thought ‘Oh well, what happened to it?’ and then there was no answer for that.”
Scott McKeen, CAAPS chief executive, highlighted the importance of Boulter Road to many vulnerable clients. They rely on it to get to public transit and to important destinations such as Vanderlin Drive and Amy Johnson Avenue. He stated, “People that we deal with are all vulnerable and require access to public transport, which means they need to get to [major roads].”
Desailly added his voice to the growing chorus of concern, noting that potholes and poor road conditions create additional hazards: “At night-time, when you’re driving around potholes — and you know there are holes there — you’re driving around and there’s people walking on the roads.” He warned that without immediate action, “It will only be a matter of time before someone gets cleaned up.”
The Path Forward
Infrastructure Minister Bill Yan acknowledged that upgrades on Boulter Road would require “detailed planning, design and dedicated capital funding.” He suggested that interim measures could be implemented to manage current conditions: “Potential resurfacing via a reseal is an appropriate interim treatment to seal cracks and minimise pothole formation during the wet season.”
Though residents have high hopes of seeing their communities finally rebound, they know the hard work has just begun. Over 200 homes are already paved out along Boulter Road at taxpayer expense. With future development on the horizon, the need for immediate action is more pressing than ever.
