DEPUTY mayor Lance Hewlett has clashed with council officers over a plan to fill in Victoria Point’s cascading water features that have been a backdrop for weddings and photographs for decades.
Cr Hewlett said he was pushing for council to retain and upgrade the water features in Cascades Garden parkland on Colburn Avenue, while council wanted to fill in most of the water features and retain only the large fountain and pond.
Cr Hewlett said a response from a council spokesperson that water cost ratepayers $14,000 a year because of evaporation and leakage, and that refurbishing the water feature could cost more than $1 million was absurd.
“If the water feature is leaking and costing ratepayers $14,000 a year why didn’t council repair and maintain it?” he said.
“That’s what we do: maintain assets.”
Cr Hewlett said it was astounding and mind boggling to consider that it would cost more than $1 million to refurbish the existing feature.
“I will be asking to look at the full costings as I just cannot comprehend that that kind of money is needed to fix it, especially when it is actually working,” he said.
“There is an enormous amount of local sentiment attached to this water feature and if needed I will bring a motion to council to investigate cost effective ways to retain and save it.”
The council spokesperson said problems with the water feature – that had a cascading fountain, stream bed and pond – included the environmental impacts of town water leaking and high operational costs from 24-hour pumping to keep water running through the artificial stream.
“Other concerns are public health and safety, landscape design and orientation,” the spokesperson said.
“The proposed design will address current problems and provide a more attractive and pleasant landscaped setting for Redlands Coast community and family gatherings and occasions.
“Council officers also looked at the cost to bring the current ageing water feature up to an acceptable level, with an estimated cost to ratepayers of refurbished water feature options ranging to more than $1 million.
“Following budget and project discussions, it was decided to focus instead on retaining and renewing the water fountain and pond feature as the most iconic and recognisable part of the cascade feature and to budget for enhancing the surrounding landscape and pathways as part of the full park upgrade.”
Council has announced a makeover, to start next month, for the playground at the park to include a slide, double swings, monkey bars, climbing frame and shade sail.
The playground will be moved closer to the car park.
Cr Hewlett said the park was a legacy of former Redlands Shire chairman Merv Genrich, who passed away last year and one of the most beautiful parkland features in the city.
“I believe as a council we need to be mindful of preserving locations that hold significance to our community and invest more into our parks and recreational precincts,” Cr Hewlett said.
“We can hardly call the park Cascades if we get rid of the water features.
“So far the feedback overwhelmingly supports retaining the water feature in its entirety.”
Cr Hewlett said the gravel road on the western side of the parkland would be sealed during next financial year, subject to budget approval.
“Delays have occurred over past years due to the intersection upgrade approval required at Colburn Avenue, which is a state-owned road,” Cr Hewlett said.
“It will be so nice to no longer see road dust billowing over wedding ceremonies.”
Council has asked for feedback on changes to the park via yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/cascades-gardens.
This story was updated on January 21.
