After several years, landscaping work on two of the approaches to the city will finally go ahead.
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Councillors at Wednesday night’s meeting of Bathurst Regional Council voted to accept the landscape designs for both the Mid Western and Mitchell Highways put forward by the engineering department after earlier plans were rejected.
The landscape design will feature themes to incorporate the city’s history and heritage.
Red Bathurst brick, steel pillars to echo Denison Bridge, tree species representing the old European planting themes and a brick wall featuring the area’s blue stone will be included.
When the original plan was presented, councillors indicated they wanted an exotic theme for species selection.
A selection of plants has been chosen to provide a variety of colour throughout the four distinct seasons.
During Wednesday night’s meeting a number of councillors expressed their delight with the revised plans to create attractive gateways to the city.
Cr Warren Aubin, who has been lobbying council to do the landscaping work for the past six years, said he had only two things to say on the matter.
“Well done. When can we start?”
Director of engineering Doug Patterson said the entrance structures will be created first, then staff will follow on with the remainder of the work.
Cr Bobby Bourke said he is glad the project is going ahead.
“Now let’s get on with it,” he said.
“We are lagging behind other cities a bit on this.”
This project is a great example of senior staff listening to councillors’ concerns, according to Cr Monica Morse.
She said a lovely design has resulted from the fact that staff had taken the time to sit down with councillors and take their concerns on board.
Deputy mayor Ian North wanted to know the future cost of maintaining the entrance ways.
Mr Patterson replied that any maintenance could be carried out using current staffing levels.
In closing, Cr Aubin said it was great to see the project going ahead.
“Six years ago I brought this up. It is fantastic that staff listened and came up with this fantastic picture,” Cr Aubin said.
“People do get a feel for a town, and if they don’t get a good feeling driving in, they might not want to stay.
“I can’t wait to see it get started,” he said.