ABOUT 20 "outraged" Soldiers Point residents were attended Tuesday's ordinary council meeting despite being excluded from discussions about the closure of a walking track that gives access to the beach and bowling club.
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A motion was put forward to close the meeting while the fate of The Track between Ash Street and the bowling club was discussed.
The thoroughfare was closed by a resident of Oasis Close, whose land covers the walkway entry, due to public liability concerns.
Council executive officer Tony Wickham said discussing legal information in front of residents would "be contrary to the public interest".
"The discussion will include information concerning legal options and the advice in relation to possible litigation," he said.
On Monday, Robyn Matthews, of the Soldiers Point Community Group, said she would be one of at least 20 residents affected by the walkway closure who would attend the meeting in silent protest.
"We are just going to go into the meeting and sit in the council chamber," Ms Matthews said.
"We'll be wearing signs on ourselves that say 'The Track'."
She said most residents were "outraged" at the closure of the path, which has been a recognised thoroughfare for 40 years. Since it closed 11 weeks ago people were forced to walk the "long way around" to access the bowling club and bus stop.
Two Soldiers Point residents presented a petition to the council in September with 464 signatures in support of reopening The Track.
Councillors moved to have staff look into the matter, with options of mediation, purchasing the walkway land or pursuing legal action against the resident considered.
Mr Wickham said the minutes of the closed part of the meeting would be available to the public, but the findings of the report would remain confidential.
