Waring wall protest

After work on the gardens started this week, a social media campaign launched into overdrive, and by Wednesday evening more than 100 residents had joined the protest to save the wall.

One of the protesters, Lynette Ives, said she hopes council will hear their concerns before it is too late.

‘‘I think I speak for the majority when I say there is heritage in that wall,’’ she said.

‘‘It is at least 60 years old, and while it needs to be 100 before it will be officially heritage listed if we remove it now it will never make it.

‘‘That wall is a place for people to sit and enjoy the gardens, it’s where people sit to take in the Anzac Day parade and it also helps prevent children running in to the street.

‘‘Council has said they are not removing the full wall, that part of it will be left near the war memorial, but it’s not enough.

‘‘And that’s not just my opinion.’’

Council acting general manager John Rayner said while works outlined in the masterplan have begun, the removal of the wall is still subject to the approval of a development application.

‘‘A development application to remove part of the wall and retain the remainder (listed on council’s website as Development Proposal DA 32/20) is currently on public exhibition, seeking community comment,’’ Mr Rayner said.

‘‘The contractor has been told not to demolish the wall until the application has been determined by the council.’’

Ms Ives recalls a community campaign saved the wall from being removed in the 1990s, when the former Deniliquin Council floated its removal.

She also questions whether council’s community consultation on the project has been thorough enough.

‘‘It was 18 months ago when council had its community consultations on the masterplan, but I don’t think many people realised exactly what they were proposing for the wall.’’

Ms Ives contacted Edward River Council Deputy Mayor Pat Fogarty to express her concerns, and those of others who have interacted with her social media campaign.

She said Cr Fogarty told her the matter would be discussed at a closed council workshop, which was held yesterday.

Mayor Norm Brennan stressed council’s plan is not to remove the wall in its entirety.

He maintains partial removal is vital in achieving the upgrades and aesthetics required to make the Waring Gardens a showpiece.

‘‘The wall is not being completely removed, but opened up in some sections to provide easier access,’’ Cr Brennan said.

‘‘In improving the look of the CBD, leaving a sub-standard structure is not in our vision.

‘‘We are spending more than $800,000 on improvements in the Waring Gardens alone, and we want them to be done in the right way.’’