Page 3658 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 23 October 2013
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In addition, they ask that the area around the big tree—so we are talking about Kingston, Green Square—including a brick wall outside the Durham pub, be looked at, as the brickwork was starting to fall apart. They also added that the provision of cigarette butt containers would be useful, as complaints had been made about the number of butts littering the area. Finally, they sought a meeting with the Chief Minister to discuss all their concerns in person.
The response from the Chief Minister in effect reiterated that the works done in 2010 would stay, with further work planned to replace the old wooden seats with 13 new steel slatted seats and new bin shrouds designed to accommodate cigarette butts. The letter also pointed out that the area was regularly cleaned, toilets inspected and cleaned daily, and that the cleaning schedule was consistent with other group shopping centres across Canberra. Additionally, the Chief Minister advised that the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate was currently developing a draft variation to the territory plan in relation to the Kingston group centre and that there would be an opportunity for further consultation.
The business owners believed that the restoration of the green space to Green Square would be an ideal centenary activity; so when there was no opportunity offered for a face-to-face meeting, they wrote again in August of this year, agreeing that the paving and seating were attractive additions but confirming that patrons continued to ask where the green grass was. In this letter the business owners put a proposition to government. It was as follows:
1. We cover the cost of buying new grass and planting it, adding Hydra cell to the soil to help maintain water retention and cultivate. We would do so with the support of the professional contractor involved in the original re-planting, who has written us to offer his support for free.
2. We cover the cost—by way of a levy among business owners—of maintaining the grass (fertilising and mowing it). We would be prepared to give levy funds to the government, should the government prefer to handle these works.
3. The sprinkler system already in place continue to be used to water the area (as it now does almost every day—therefore, no change is required here).
In that letter they also advised that the repairs promised for May had not yet been addressed and that the tree roots were now lifting the pavers, creating a trip hazard. The promised steel seating had also not yet been delivered.
Their letter concluded with a plea that a response be forthcoming before the end of the first week in September so that the work could be completed before the end of the year. Only late yesterday—in fact, it was received early this morning—were the traders notified that the offer to grass the area would be accepted. The letter had been lost, apparently, within TAMS.
We often bemoan the fact that people want to rely too much on government to do things rather than try and help themselves. But here we have a community that had been proactive. They had consulted with government and the community. They had
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