Council have had a good amount of time to make up their minds and get this project started. It seems to me that they are trying to do too much with too little money.

I can't see that the main street needs to be totally revamped which seems to be part of the plan by Council. 

Just once, it would be good to see our council make a sensible decision on what to do, without calling in out-of-town consultants, already a lot of money has been wasted with a number of different plans being put forward which will cost well over the budget.

Why can't we do what other towns do and make a sensible plan, which is within the budget, and then when that is done, get local people to do the work.

Employing out-of-town contractors and consultants to make plans that are too expensive does not stimulate the Wellington economy one bit.

Yes, the wall around the park is in a bad state of repair, but it can be repaired. I would like to see it repaired and used to promote the town.

Why not take a leaf out of Dubbo's book and maybe get together with the local artist community and paint the wall with a history of Wellington time line. Each panel of the fence could be painted with a scene from Wellington's past.

This would get the community involved and give them a sense of ownership and solve the problem for much less than $1.6 million. It would also encourage visitors to the town to stop and have a look at what we have to offer.

Leave the trees alone, they are finally starting to show a bit of growth and looking good. Yes, maybe put small garden beds around them, this could be done with the help of local garden clubs. Better protection for the trees is needed, so they are not being continually reversed into by drivers who seem to think they don't have to look were they are going, everyone else should do that for them.

Answer me this, if someone driving runs into a tree, is it the tree's fault or the drivers?

The foot path on the park side of the street does need a little work. It could be pathed in the same manner as the shop side of the street, if that fits into the budget. 

Also there is a need to provide parking for caravans and bus operators, this could be done with a few changes to the Library carpark, and a section of the street near the library could be made parallel parking, it does not have to be a large section. 

But if Wellington wants to stay a tourist town then we have to provide a place for caravans and small buses to stop. If you do not do this then they will simple keep right on driving to the next town that does have parking facilities.

Any money that is left over could be put into promoting the business side of Wellington to try and fill some of the empty shops, a building always looks better if someone is using it. 

Since the closure of Target and the Office Furniture store the main shopping area of Wellington has progressively gone down hill. We desperately need a mid-sized shopping chain like Best and Less or Kmart, or Harris Scarfe, perhaps Council could approach businesses of this kind and encourage them to come here, instead of, as has happened in the past, "putting things in their way". 

I have been in business in Wellington for 17 years and have never seen the place so depressed, both socially and economically. That is why it is important to encourage new business and stimulate the Wellington economy, not dither around with plans that are too expensive and will only stimulate the economy of some other town. 

So Council, it is time you sat down with each other and worked out a sensible plan that can be done by local tradies and the community, this is why you were elected. 

Spending $1.6 million on outside consultants and outside trade people will not stimulate

Wellington's economy one bit. 

I would encourage all Councilors to walk the streets and speak to the shop owners and business operators and find out their thoughts and ideas and then maybe Council will be able to come up with a plan that is "DOABLE and NOT OVER BUDGET".

Barry Jeffery