HOW disappointing it is to witness the disgusting debacle and waste of ratepayers money on how council staff have handled the issue of maintenance of the roses in Anson Street, including the total removal of all the roses from the roundabout at the Moulder Street intersection.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Apart from the considerable waste of ratepayers money, one could be excused for regarding these actions as an act of ineptitude.
I personally do not support any of my considerable rate money being wasted in this way.
We should expect that council employs at least some city presentation staff who are fully qualified in horticulture but sadly, maybe not, because if they did then these staff would know the correct way to prune and grow and maintain hybrid tea roses and this certainly does not include cutting them off with a hedge trimmer or chain saw some 15-20cm from the ground.
These roses need to be pruned with sharp secateurs that do not leave jaggered stems, that can encourage disease and ugly dead ends. They need to be left at about 75cm tall, depending on the bush.
An example of this is clearly available in the sunken rose garden at Cook Park, where a decent job of pruning has been carried out, presumably by council staff.
I consider this action a very serious matter, as it went against the wishes of our elected councillors and the person responsible should be given a serious reprimand.
I understood that we elect councillors to oversee the operation of council and their directives must be carried out, otherwise maybe some staff changes would be in order.
I congratulate those councillors who have spoken out about this waste of money debacle. Generally speaking I find that the standard of maintenance of several of our parks leaves a lot to be desired.
That it is necessary to paddle through water on some of these paths, including the path adjacent to Summer Street in Cook Park, is not indicating good maintenance.
Max Gregory
There’s saving for a rainy day … then there’s this
READERS of the Central Western Daily may not be aware that Orange council reports, at each second monthly council meeting, its financial investments.
Currently the portfolio, as of July 31, stands at $115,302,302.52.
With this is the kitty it is tiring to constantly hear council claim to be just making a profit each year.
This investment is made up of: general fund - $47,473,933.94; sewer fund (prior to the amalgamation direction it was referred to simply as “sewer fund”) - $30,500,162.54; water supply fund (ditto above) - $35,287,359.80; and finally Orange CBD special rate - $2,040,846.24.
We’re all told to save for a rainy day, but I ask why is council continuing to allow this share investment to accumulate? Could the council financial director please explain.
I’ve been informed the sewer fund is to be used to upgrade the sewer system in Orange, likewise the water fund.
I’m not convinced.
Furthermore 73.12 per cent of the money is allocated to “A” or “BBB” & “NR” investment stock, while 26.9 per cent is held with “AA” credit rated shares. If the economy goes belly up, so might the initial investment of $40 million plus.
