Laneway Closure Paused Following Community Advocacy
- 2nd May 2026
- Council & Advocacy
- 4 min read
Council pauses proposed closure of Bryce & Glasgow laneway to explore options that retain environmental value
Earlier this year, SPCA was approached by a concerned resident regarding a proposed closure of the laneway between Bryce Street & Glasgow Street in Suffolk Park.
While technically classified as an unconstructed road reserve, the site has gradually evolved into a vegetated corridor supporting local habitat, canopy cover & neighbourhood amenity. For many residents, the proposal raised broader questions about the long-term management of small public land parcels within established residential areas.
Community concerns centred not only on the potential loss of public land but also the environmental value the site may continue to provide into the future.
Why This Mattered
Although modest in scale, the laneway reflects a broader issue increasingly relevant across Suffolk Park: how residual public land can continue to contribute to biodiversity, urban cooling, neighbourhood character & long-term environmental resilience.
Key concerns raised included:
Residents also highlighted the cumulative impact of incremental land disposal across growing urban areas, particularly where small green spaces may continue to provide environmental & neighbourhood value with minimal intervention.
What We Did
SPCA coordinated a staged & constructive community response focused on participation, environmental awareness & practical alternatives.
This included:
As part of this process, local resident Margaret Van Kleef, who lives behind the laneway, was interviewed by SPCA president, Kelly Minahan, to explain why the laneway matters & the role she believes it plays within the neighbourhood environment.
The president also recorded a short video submission which was presented to Council at a closed meeting to discuss the proposed sale of the site.
Watch The Video Submissions
"If Suffolk Park loses these trees & shade & biodiversity it will be a tragedy" - Margaret Van Kleef
What Happened Next
Following the submissions, Council resolved to pause the proposed closure & investigate alternative management approaches for the site.
The adopted motion stated:
That Council defers this matter until the meeting of 21 May 2026; and that staff provide a report on options for managing this road reserve if it is not sold.
This outcome created an opportunity for broader consideration of the environmental, planning & long-term community value associated with the laneway.
The motion also shifted the discussion from whether the land should simply be disposed of, to how it may potentially be managed & retained for ongoing public benefit.
A Constructive Alternative
Following Council’s decision to pause the proposed sale, SPCA prepared & submitted an Alternative Land Use Proposal to assist Council in considering future management options for the site.
Rather than focusing solely on opposition to the sale, the proposal identified practical, low-impact alternatives capable of preserving long-term environmental & community value.
The proposal explored opportunities to:
The document also highlighted the broader importance of how similar residual public land parcels across Suffolk Park may continue contributing to neighbourhood amenity, urban cooling & long-term environmental resilience.
Once disposed of, the opportunity to retain this land for public purposes is permanently lost.
Looking Ahead
The future management of the Bryce & Glasgow laneway remains under consideration as Council explores alternative options for the site.
More broadly, the process has highlighted the important role local communities can play in contributing constructively to planning, environmental & public land discussions.
It has also reinforced the value of collaborative advocacy grounded in participation, practical alternatives & long-term thinking.
As Suffolk Park continues to evolve, conversations around environmental resilience, public space & neighbourhood character are likely to become increasingly important across the village.
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