Kennedia Lane in Mt Claremont gets major $659k upgrade after residents rallied to fix ‘disgusting’ street
A decade-long battle to fix up what could be the worst street in Perth’s western suburbs looks to be coming to a happy end for Mt Claremont residents, after their council greenlit a $659,000 upgrade to the laneway.
On Tuesday night, Nedlands council approved money for a substantial upgrade to Kennedia Lane that locals say is needed to fix nearly 28 years worth of deterioration that now causes yearly flooding, safety issues and erosion.
For the second time in as many weeks, local homeowners showed up at a Nedlands council meeting to push their case for laneway action, this time explaining how they’ve borne the cost themselves in recent years out of frustration.
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“I’ve personally undertaken remedial work, paving, and also paid for bobcats... just to make sure the laneway is actually safe,” Ian Tchacos told the council.
Another resident, Matt Greenwood said he has paid $1500 for repairs after council failed to respond to his reports of dangerous conditions at his front gate.
A decade-long bid to fix up what could be the worst street across the western suburbs has finally come to an end for Mt Claremont residents, after council greenlit a $659k upgrade to the laneway. Credit: Google Maps.
More than 25 properties have exclusive vehicle access to Kennedia Lane, including 12 which rely on the laneway for primary and and in some cases, only access.
“The council has failed to deliver on the basics”, Chantelle Marshell said.
“We struggle daily with gravel-filled potholes, making it a challenge to drag our bins out for collection or walk our children down the road.”
Councillor Hengameh Amiry agreed the lane “desperately needs some investment”.
“Put these peoples’ needs first, and to find the time and the money, and the space in your heart to try and fix this problem that has been going on for nearly 28 years,” she said during the council debate.
Six of the eight elected members voted in favour of the $659,229 spend being included within the City’s 2024-25 financial budget.