“YOU took away our pool, now we want something small in return”.
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Yanco resident Fran Porter has had enough and wants Leeton Shire Council to take notice.
Mrs Porter is among many Yanco residents asking council for what they are calling a “small water feature” for McCaughey Park.
The matter was discussed at council’s monthly meeting last week and it was moved to look into what those options would be.
However, it wasn’t something all councillors agreed on.
George Weston, Tony Ciccia and Tony Reneker voted against exploring what those items and equipment could be.
“We don’t want something worth $300,000 … that’s ridiculous,” Mrs Porter said.
“We just want something so the kids can cool off. They swim in the ‘lake’ at the park and in the channels.
“There’s no pool anymore, they closed that down, so we need something that is safe and for everyone. Our children have no where to go, no public transport (to Leeton).
“That’s why I’m fighting for it.
“It would be good to have something where a wheelchair could get underneath a stream of water or something like that as well.”
Mrs Porter has lived in Leeton shire almost her whole life and said it was important council really looked hard at what the community wanted.
Council was presented with a petition with close to 200 signatures in support of the idea.
“These ones that are against it, I ask why?” Mrs Porter said.
“It’s not coming out of their pocket.”
Mayor Paul Maytom was for the proposal and was happy for it to be looked into.
“I’ve spoken with people in Yanco and I don’t think it’s much for us to look into it,” he said at the meeting.
“We’re not putting any money towards it yet, but I think it would enhance that area further.
“All they want is something simple.”
Cr Weston said it was about protocol and not raising the hopes of residents.
“What if we look into it and we don’t find anything suitable?” he said.
“How would that be looked upon … we don’t want to raise their hopes or expectations of what this would or could be.
“You also as a council can’t look into every matter. These signatures, while they are a great show of support for the idea, really aren't that many (in terms of numbers).
“Council just doesn’t have the capacity to explore every single idea that is brought to its attention.”
What do you think? Join the conversation on our Facebook page or send a letter to editor@irrigator.com.au.
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