Local residents have expressed growing frustration over the deteriorating conditions of Jardine Drive in Edmondson Park, an issue brought to the forefront at a recent Liverpool City Council meeting by Deputy Mayor Peter Harle. The matter, which has now been referred to a future Governance Committee meeting, highlights significant safety concerns that continue to plague the community.
“It’s completely unacceptable that our children have to risk their safety just to get to school,” said one local resident, referring to the hazardous stretch between Wakeling Drive and Diamond Hill Circuit, due to the absence of proper footpaths and the deteriorated ground conditions.
The section in question has been described as “a series of patches on patches” with limited space between the road edge and chain wire fencing, the latter having been installed to prevent illegal dumping. Community members have expressed disappointment that despite the area’s rapid development, basic pedestrian safety infrastructure remains inadequate.
Development Contributions and Infrastructure Spending
Following Deputy Mayor Harle’s inquiries at the Council meeting held on the 5th of Feb, it was revealed that Council has collected substantial developer contributions totaling $127.9 million from the Edmondson Park precinct as of December 2024. Of this amount, $98.2 million has already been allocated to infrastructure and land acquisition within the area, leaving residents questioning why their safety concerns haven’t been prioritized.
Road Upgrade Challenges
While Council has been identified as the primary responsible party for upgrading this section of Jardine Drive, being a local road not immediately adjoining any developer lots, the project faces significant funding constraints. A consultant has been engaged to design improvements for the section between Rynan Ave and Wakeling Drive, including:
- Upgrade of existing culvert near Wakeling Drive
- Drainage network improvements
- Installation of kerb and gutter
- New footpaths
The design is currently 80% complete, but the project faces substantial funding challenges. With an estimated cost exceeding $5 million, only $600,000 is currently allocated from S7.11 contributions – enough only for design completion and minor temporary patching work, a solution that residents say is inadequate for their safety needs.
Looking Forward
Council officials have indicated that the full delivery of road improvements will depend on future developer contributions and/or additional Council funding allocations.
Currently, there are insufficient resources to provide a safe pedestrian space in the area, a response that has left many residents dissatisfied and concerned for their safety.
The matter has been referred to a future Governance Committee meeting for further discussion and consideration of potential solutions to address these pressing safety concerns, but local residents are demanding more immediate action to address what they see as a critical safety issue in their community.
“We’ve been paying our rates and watching the area develop rapidly over the past decade,” commented another resident. “It’s disappointing to see such a basic safety requirement being pushed down the road while our children are at risk every day.”
