COCKBURN council has delayed a decision to close dozens of trails in Manning Park after community members and several councillors argued users had not been consulted adequately.

The city’s proposed Manning Park Trails Rehabilitation Plan would close 66 trails, keep 56 open and partially close or divert four others to protect environmentally sensitive areas, including the critically endangered Honeymyrtle shrubland ecological community.

But Coogee resident Mandy Sherring questioned why the city had not followed consultation steps it adopted in 2022.

“Why has the city selected trails for closure without consultation with the Manning Park Trails Community Engagement Group as per step seven?” she asked.

Cockburn’s director of sustainable development Daniel Arndt said environmental investigations since 2022 had changed the situation.

“The independent experts have identified trails that are causing harm or have the potential to cause harm to environmental and heritage values within Manning Park,” he said.

“While the community import is valued, there is limited scope for communities to have recommendations that would impact or change that expert advice.”

Cr Chontelle Stone successfully moved an amendment to defer adoption of the plan and undertake consultation with stakeholder groups.

by STEVE GRANT