The existing Deniliquin entrance sign 7km south of town on the Cobb Highway will be relocated to the space, which will also enjoy a landscaping overhaul.
Edward River Council general manager Adam McSwain said the town entrance had been on council’s agenda since it was raised in the creation of the Deniliquin Masterplan.
He said the masterplan identified that the Deniliquin welcome signs are well out of town and should be closer to make ‘‘a more statement entrance’’.
‘‘As we have been working through drought funding, a study discovered the entrance that gets the most visitation is Crispe St, with about 60 per cent.
‘‘We get a lot of feedback about the parkland there and whether we can enhance the Crispe St entrance to make it more attractive,’’ Mr McSwain said.
He said council decided to use Drought Communities Program money for the project.
‘‘It is a heavily utilised entrance into town, and we think beautifying it will help increase tourism and the attraction of the town.’’
The relocated sign will be placed on a man-made mound so it can be prominent and ‘‘you still get that beautiful Deni wording with the blue sky through it’’. Natural grasses and various plants will be added on and around the mound.
Council will also install irrigation and will put trees along both sides of Crispe St leading into the town ‘‘to create a bit of a boulevard type effect’’.
Landscaping works are still under discussion, however Deputy Mayor Pat Fogarty says council must be mindful of its water use.
‘‘As a council, we get a set allocation for town water and it can’t be used for anything else,’’ she said.
‘‘While we have some capacity to increase watering if it is needed, we are not going to waste it. We don’t want to make another lush grass lawn area that would need a lot of water.’’