THE community is being asked for its views on the fountain at the centre of Arthur Square, the village green at the heart of New Norfolk. Derwent Valley Council chief executive Wes Young told last month’s council meeting that the derelict fountain was the subject of public discussion and negative online reviews.
“Council has an obligation to adequately maintain our public infrastructure and promote public pride in our shared spaces,” he said in a report. “To further those aims, it’s intended to commence public consultation to understand community preference for the future of the fountain and related infrastructure.”
Mr Young’s report also noted “a series of walls for plaques, which have also fallen into disrepair,” which also forms part of a survey which is available until October 4. The survey asks whether the fountain should be restored or replaced, and also invites other ideas for the prominent spot. The survey can be access at surveymonkey.com/r/2B2RDV8
The fountain was built as a lily pond in 1964. It was later converted into its present form featuring stone excavated during the 1970s hydropower development at Strathgordon. The fountain function has been out of order for some time. Calls for its repair – from councillors and the general public – have been ignored until now.
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4 Responses
“Council has an obligation to adequately maintain our public infrastructure….” like the Bushy Park Pool for example?
Perhaps we can have a favourite pot hole competition? Humphrey st has a few cracking entries
How many more times does this community have to contribute to ‘discussion’ regarding the fountain and Arthur Square in general? There is definitely a need for the fountain site to be replaced with anything else other than a continually vandalised water spout -isn’t it about time the War Memorial was moved from outside the Council Chambers to the much-more accessible site? There is already a plan to provide additional footpath areas around the Square. In-so-far as the ‘series of walls?’ – these seem to have been severely neglected by Council itself. The replacement of stolen plaques on the relatively new Tribute Wall as well as the Centenary of Federation Arch (beautifully constructed by students of New Norfolk High) should have been fixed by Council some time ago. If the plaques were inset (as recommended by the community consultation group at the time), these may very well not have been stolen. Nothing seems to have occurred regarding the much-desired rotunda (sited in the area around the corner of High and Bathurst streets).
Perhaps consider a merry-go-round to go where the fountain is – may as well add to the current circus!
Alice G
I for one would like to see the fountain revert to how it appears in above photo, unfortunately because of the threat of vandalism and cost to rate payers for the upkeep and repairs it would be a no go.
Keep the surrounding edging and dig out centre and replace it with an appropriate tree and underplanting.
I would love to see the fountain replaced with a rotunda for public enjoyment. Bands, choirs, weddings, public forums with the rotunda as the centerpiece for public gatherings. Launceston do it so well and anything that brings the public together is a win in my book.