The 2014 Banjo Paterson Festival will have come and gone by the time Orange councillors decide whether or not to erect a giant hat tribute to the poet.
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Cr Kevin Duffy tried to get the giant Akubra construction underway by removing the 28 day public display period on Tuesday night.
He failed and again debate raged in council as to whether the city should build a five metre high Akubra style pergola .
Cr Duffy tried to waive the public display period to get the controversial five metre high project started because it had been debated time and again in council but Councillor Reg Kidd is convinced the city should build a life-size bronze statue of Banjo instead.
Now the project will come back for councillors to discuss the results of the 28 day display period where residents have a chance to write in with their view on the $30,000 construction.
Cr Jeff Whitton said he cannot understand why councillors agreed on the giant hat design when Banjo Paterson wrote short stories and poetry.
“He didn’t make hats.
“He wore a hat, but under the hat was his face,” he said.
“With all due respect this doesn’t hold any significance to Banjo Paterson.”
Cr Kidd argued that the public needed its say and that the working committee would go to the media and make it a public issue if council chose to waive the public’s right to voice its opinion.
“Let’s put it out in the public domain to see if the community want a hat, this ought to go through the proper process,” he said.
Cr Gryllis was the one who first floated the idea of the giant Akubra and said he had started working on the idea about six years ago.
The design and costings will be on display at the Civic Centre for residents to view.
l Do you think Orange should have an Akubra pergola to commemorate poet Banjo Paterson? Go to centralwesterndaily.com.au and vote in our online poll.
