Anna Buzolich said she felt nervous using the path at night, especially following the recent murder of a young woman in Doncaster.

“Night time is when I feel most at risk because it is dark earlier now. I feel that if someone was to attack me ,no one would be able to see,” Ms Buzolich said.

“The council have only put in one light and I think it took about six months to turn on and it’s not even very bright. 

“You hope that nothing like (the stabbing) would happen here in Warrnambool but there are steps that can be taken to make us feel safer and they haven’t been properly addressed.”

A council spokesman said the council had not been alerted to the issue and as a result had no plans to install more lighting along the path. 

“As far as we are aware there has not been an approach with a request for improved lighting along the path, but it is something the council would consider if there are community concerns over safety,” the spokesman said.

“The council receives many requests and has to carefully allocate resources to maximise benefits to the community.”

Cr Peter Hulin said the issue of lighting had been raised about many of Warrnambool’s popular recreational spots, including the beachside promenade as well as the Wollaston walking track, with worried locals contacting him directly.

“I’ve walked down there myself and it’s pitch black,” Cr Hulin said.

“It’s certainly not ideal and in a city like this we should be doing something about it.”

Sergeant John Keats, of Warrnambool police, said it was a definite safety concern for both the current residents and those planning to move into a new estate being developed in the area. 

He said the community needed to take a stand and say “we’re not happy with this” if there was going to be change.

“The installation of lights would provide a feeling of environmental security to the community, as it’s known that criminals won’t go to well-lit areas,” Sergeant Keats said.

“It’s much harder for the offenders to act if we are on the front foot.”

For many in the area the Wollaston Road walking track is a popular destination for families and a hotspot for physical activity after a recent amenities upgrade.