Queanbeyan City Councillors voted unanimously to request the inclusion of a gate and also contribute costs of installing an accessible ramp where required. The ramp is estimated to cost up to $2000.

The 1.8 metre-high wire mesh fence was erected in late July without council permission. Owners of the shopping centre, Novion, has submitted a building certificate since then.

However, there is no legal requirement to install a gate on the fence and it is not a prerequisite for the issuing of the Building Certificate.

The fence caused widespread anger throughout the community as it divided a commonly used thoroughfare for people to access the Collett Street bus interchange and retailers in the vicinity.

Councillor Judith Burfoot supported the approval of a gate as she said the fence as it currently stood was a safety hazard to the community.

“I’ve seen teenagers and children climb the fence to get where they want to go,” she said.

“I saw a young boy push his skateboard under the fence and then climb over the fence wearing his school backpack. I’ve heard about other kids throwing their bags over the fence first. Someone will fall off and break an arm.”

While Cr Burfoot preferred the fence be entirely removed, she agreed the gate was a good compromise.

“It may be private property but I think there’s a civic obligation to allow for people walking or riding their bikes to the doctors or the shops,” she said.

“Then there’s the elderly, people with disabilities and mothers with prams. Why would the owners want to seriously impede their access? It just doesn’t make sense. And the fence is ugly to boot.”

A Novion representative said the company did not want to make comment at this time.