Closure of an unused Road Reserve that exists between Thorngate Road and Taylor Road, Holtze

The Minister for Lands and Planning, has requested that Council close the unnamed road reserve that exists between Thorngate Road and Taylor Road, Holtze across Crown Land for future Defence use. No road exists within the road reserve. The road reserve crosses several large excavations (ex quarries) and would be expensive to construct a road across. The Department of Defence wishes to acquire the road reserves as to be able to fully utilise this area including the adjacent sections 62,63,90,91,93,102,103,126 and 127, a 3.2km depth by 3.2 km wide section of land extending from Campbell Road, Glendower Road, Thorngate Road and Taylor Road.

Council resolved at the ordinary meeting held 17 February 2016 as follows:

12.08 Road Closing – Unnamed Road between Thorngate Road and Taylor Road, Holtze across Crown Land utilised by Defence,

THAT Council approved proceeding with the road closure process of the Unnamed Road between Thorngate Road and Taylor Road, Holtze across Crown Land.

CARRIED 16/0046/01.

On 15 October 2015 Council approved in principal a realignment of an existing haul road to a proposed alignment that links Thorngate Road with Taylor Road and thereby to meet the future need of the proposed road reserve closure.

The Minister for Lands and Planning has requested Council close the road in accordance with Section 187 of the Local Government Act and also provided his approval pursuant to section 187(2)(b)(i). This is required as the road closure is for a road reserve that is vested in Council, and only Council has the power to initiate temporary or permanent road closure under the Local Government Act. The Minister for Local Government may then approve the road closure at his discretion.

Following closure of the road, the land will be titled to Litchfield Council and then the DLPE will acquire the land at nil cost, pursuant to the Land Acquisition Act, and gift to the Department of Defence.

Please advise Council if you have any concerns regarding the proposed road closure by email at council@ litchfield.nt.gov.au prior to 30 April 2016.