It was described as Custer’s last stand, but the council and community are hoping new trees planted in Littleton Gardens are allowed to grow and beautify the town’s green space.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bega Valley Shire Mayor Michael Britten welcomed a small gathering to a tree planting ceremony in the gardens on a sunny Friday morning.
His Custer quip was in response to previous destruction by vandals of trees planted in the gardens and some more recent lesser damage, whether by vandals or accident. However, with the public’s support and “community ownership”, it is hoped there will be no need to clean up after anti-social behaviour again.
To help repair some strained ties between the council and community over work in Littleton Gardens, Friday’s tree planting was conducted by several locals with long-time links to the space.
Beth Worthy, Margaret Sirl, Phil McDonald and Marshall Campbell all had a hand in the creation of a former chapter of the Littleton Gardens story and they were invited back to get their hands dirty once again.
Friday’s official planting – of three claret ash and a cluster of daffodils – was in addition to trees of several varieties popping up right across the gardens and car park, replacing the 40-plus Manchurian pears cut down over two nights in May.
It also came amid calls for CCTV surveillance of the area to prevent further issues with vandalism.
Readers took to the BDN Facebook page to decry the latest damage to the trees, asking how long would the council continue replanting rather than install cameras. There were also comments on council “taking charge of the situation” by installing cameras, and a request for greater police presence.
BVSC director of community relations and leisure Anthony Basford responded to the comments, saying the council was looking to develop a CCTV policy, which may lead to the introduction of cameras in the gardens.
“The issues have also been raised with the Police Liaison Committee,” he said.