It's no argument that Inverell is already a beautiful city, however a town garden has been suggested as a way to bring further calm and peace to residents, all the while marking the fast-approaching 150th anniversary.
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Inverell Shire Council engaged in a lively debate over the idea of a town garden suggested by Ann McCosker, and while many councilors were on board with the general concept, it was ultimately knocked back.
Mrs McCosker suggested that the sesquicentennial anniversary could be celebrated by constructing a town garden for "somewhere that people can go, sit and read on the lawn".
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She suggested the ideal location could be the newly created space near the new extension of Oliver Street, Evans Streets and Swanbrook Road.
"You need something close to the town, and reasonable sized area, and that's the only one that would really fit the bill," she told the Times.
"The reason it came up, and a lot of people have agreed with me, is I've spent a lot of time in Toowoomba... and wandered around the gardens there, and it's just so relaxing.
"I feel it would be something that would bring more people to Inverell, as well as give people who live here a place to spend some time."
No design, maintenance regime or cost estimates were prepared, however it was Mrs McCosker's way of "putting my idea in the ring".
The area is zoned 'business', with the August council papers outlining the current intention is to list the land with local real estate agents for sale.
"In the interim an opportunity has been provided for Bunnings to submit a proposal to council to utilise the area as a temporary carpark," the paper read.
Councillors discussed the idea and the potential for something similar, even as they noted that location was no longer an option.
"I didn't realise we were having that 150th anniversary, so that jogged my memory," Cr Di Baker noted.
"I think it's great that someone is thinking along these lines of having a garden, however the location as we've just said it has already been decided on its use.
"I also hesitate to put anything really cost prohibitive in, because gardens have to be maintained, and are a lot of work for staff."
Councillor Mal Peters moved a motion for council to consider the concept of a town garden to "allow the staff to come back with a proposal we can all consider and then go forward from there".
However Cr Anthony Michael said council already "have enough to maintain" and ultimately the motion was lost.
"I don't mind the decision, I just wanted to put my idea in the ring, and as long as they consider it," Mrs McCosker continued.
"I think it would be nice to have a living thing or things - to have something that isn't just there and gone again."
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