ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Katy Gallagher, has invited Canberrans to provide feedback on the proposed upgrade of Fetherston Gardens in Weston by 2 May 2012.
“The ACT Labor Government is committed to improving the urban amenity of our city and the protection the local environment, for the benefit of all Canberrans and to maintain our high standard of living,” the Chief Minister said.
“Following community consultation held in August 2011, a Concept Plan has been developed to identify opportunities for the future development of the site as funding opportunities become available.
“Proposed ideas for the upgrade include:
- picnic areas
- additional seating
- shelters
- enhanced landscaping
- new footpaths
- a small play space
- improved lighting
- extension of the existing stone wall and relocation of the existing sun dial to a more prominent place within the park as a memorial to Tony Fetherston, the first and longest serving head of the school, whom the gardens are named after.”
Part of the former CIT School of Horticulture, Fetherston Gardens consist of a well-established arboretum, woodlands garden and an enclosed ‘secret garden’.
With the closure of CIT’s Weston campus in 2002, the Gardens ceased being used as a purpose-built educational facility; however, the site has retained more than 200 trees that include many unusual species used for training purposes during its CIT period.
“The ACT Government has been working with the Weston Creek Community Council and the Friends of the Fetherston Gardens to bring the Gardens back to a condition where it can be used by the community,” the
Chief Minister said.
“The Weston Creek Community Council has also been proactive in coordinating regular volunteer working bees to remove weeds and maintain the garden beds.
“The proposed Fetherston Gardens upgrade is an example of the ACT Labor Government’s commitment to investing in the beautification of Canberra.
“Recently the ACT Labor Government announced the establishment of an Urban Improvement Fund in the next ACT Budget, which will inject an extra $22 million into maintaining and upgrading the urban amenity of Canberra,” the Chief Minister concluded.
“The Government is pleased to be restoring the Fetherston Gardens in Weston as a community space where people can gather with family and friends. I encourage all interested people to provide feedback on the Concept Plan to ensure the future vision for the Gardens meets the needs of the community.
The Concept Plan is available online at http://www.tams.act.gov.au/ as well as the Woden and Civic Library (from tomorrow) and the Woden Shopfront, while feedback can be provided at http://www.timetotalk.act.gov.au/
Community feedback closes at 5 pm on Wednesday 2 May 2012.
Published: March 21, 2012, 1:26 pm
Section: Katy Gallagher, MLA | Media Releases