Last week, the Crown Reserves, Community and Commercial Operations Committee voted against the creation of an arboretum on a section of Curtis Reserve.

Councillor Gareth Ward had been working closely with the residents adjoining the reserve, however he was not present at the committee meeting where councillors deemed the project inappropriate.

At the ordinary meeting on Tuesday, Cr Ward moved a motion that council support the arboretum in principle and establish a Parkcare group for further investigation into the issue.

“The report put to the committee was not reflective of reality. This proposal does have the support of the surrounding residents.

“There has been a great deal of concern about the types of plants proposed. They are not going to be the monoliths feared.

“I think council should support this arboretum in Curtis Reserve because that is what the residents around Curtis Reserve want.”

However, Cr John Anderson defended the decision made by the committee.

“This was a decision that was not come to lightly. It is totally unreasonable to ask to reverse the recommendation completely.

“If Cr Ward was serious he would recommend the matter go back to committee so we can have a broad range of discussion.”

A compromise was reached

and Cr Ward amended the recommendation to take the proposal back to the committee for further consideration.