Cootamundra's "Captain's Walk" tourist attraction will soon have three extra busts installed, following a report from the parks manager of Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, Wayne Bennett.
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At last week's council meeting, Mr Bennett reported three busts were not in place - those of Shane Watson, Steve Smith and Tim Paine.
Mr Bennett was asked earlier this year to prepare a report on the Captain's Walk, and said that in the course of his investigation noticed three busts were missing and requested an allocation from the council's general fund to start having the busts made.
"The sculptures have been commission with an artist and are currently being cast, to be funded through the 2019-20 budget," Mr Bennett said. "The estimated cost is $12,000 to $15,000 per sculpture, and an allocation of $40,000 has been made."
Mr Bennett said that on investigating the existing management and maintenance program of the Captains' Walk, it was apparent there had been no real strategy or direction for its initial and ongoing future development or maintenance.
"Due to staffing and the organisation's restructure, the Captains' Walk has been left without consideration," Mr Bennett said.
"Though it is a tourist attraction, it is contained within a Cootamundra public open space area and, as such, it is considered appropriate for the attraction to be managed by the waste, parks and recreation department of Council.
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"On recent investigation, there appears has been no master plan for the initial and ongoing development of the work.
"Nor is there written record of why Jubilee Park was selected for its location, bearing in mind that Albert Park is Cootamundra's prime cricket ground.
"It is suggested that before any further works being commissioned for the 'Captains' Walk', an investigation of its history be undertaken with the intent to determine why Jubilee Park was selected for such a concept in preference to Albert Park.
"Once this information has been collated an informal report can be discussed at a councillor workshop before a (formal) report being prepared."
Introducing the item, Mayor Abb McAlister commented "it's no use having a tourist attractions when you haven't got all the heads".
A master plan for the Walk is estimated to cost $15-20,000. Council approved Mr Bennett's report and the allocation of $40,000.
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