SDRC makes call on $47M botanical gardens proposal warwickdailynews.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from warwickdailynews.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Councillor Cameron Gow was one of the most vocal in favour of the request, contending the tourism benefits would outweigh any costs of the water.
“If Warwick Polocrosse can’t access this water, it’s potentially another event cancelled so people won’t visit our region, which flows onto our tourism operators,” Cr Gow said.
He was met with fierce opposition by councillors Andrew Gale, Ross Bartley, and Stephen Tancred, who all agreed the region’s drought status was too “desperate” to offer extra water to a sporting organisation.
“I cannot, in the current dire circumstances we find ourselves, to allow the use of any water that is capable of being treated to a drinking standard to be utilised for watering grass,” Cr Gale agreed.
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The beloved Season Feast Southern Downs markets are spicing things up as they move into bigger location and rebrand on the back of more people choosing local produce.
The markets have been held in the Farley St Piazza for six years, but now the team is moving to the Railway Precinct come March 5.
While the Piazza was a loved venue, co-op store manager Bridget Ryan said the markets were growing out of room there.
‘(Farley St) has a beautiful space with the mural and landscaping and it’s nice to be amongst the middle of town but we’ve outgrown that location,” Ms Ryan said.
Southern Downs councillors got riled up over a contentious vote on the future of the Stanthorpe Art gallery, with fears the upgrade would come at a $2 million cost to ratepayers. Councillors gathered this morning to vote on a range of options for a revamp to the Weerona Park site, including a minimal $250,000 upgrade, a modest $1.5âmillion grade, the recommended $4âmillion expansion, or a new site costing $12âmillion. A vote to push the $4 million upgrade into the funding submission process was narrowly voted in by Mayor Vic Pennisi and councillors Sheryl Windle, Jo McNally, Marco Gliori and Cameron Gow. Councillors Cynthia McDonald, Andrew Gale, Stephen Tancred and Ross Bartley all opposed the plan.
Tensions run high as SDRC buys into Emu Swamp Dam STEP FORWARD: Mayor Vic Pennisi,Minister for Drought and Water Resources David Littleproud , Treasurer Josh Frydenberg with Brent Finlay, Independent Chair of the Emu Swamp Dam Committee and State MP James Lister at the site of the proposed dam. Picture Kym Smith
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STANTHORPE residents have been offered “salvation” in Emu Swamp Dam as Southern Downs councillors voted yes in the historic decision buy into the irrigation project this morning.
Emotions ran high in what Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi called it the biggest strategic vote Southern Downs Regional Council had made in 17 years.