Forlorn Queen St planters will get spruced up, thanks to a motion raised by Masterton councillor Brent Goodwin last week.
Goodwin asked that council officers report to the Infrastructure and Services Committee on March 15 on a proposed project scope with timelines to spend $5000 to increase the vegetation in Queen St to cover the green metal street furniture in the central business district.
The motion received majority support, although councillor Bex Johnson likened the initiative to “putting lipstick on a pig”.
“I really don’t see the need to do that,” she said.
“I think the structures are dated and past their use-by date and would rather we revisit our CBD revamp plans for the future and made a decision on what we’re going to do there.”
Goodwin disagreed and said it is “important to not pause everything while we wait for council to decide what to do [in the CBD]”.
“I can’t see the sense in not planting this out so that we have some more green cover, and it looks like it was meant to.”
During the 2021 – 31 Long Term Plan discussions, Masterton District Council decided to defer any upgrades to the CBD for three years.
The motion was seconded by councillor Tim Nelson.
Councillor Tom Hullena, who also supported the motion, said the council “owes it to our retailers to maintain a good-looking aesthetic space”.
“I think if we put plants in there that will add to the space – that’s good for the town.” – NZLDR
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