They included associated costs for the provision of water, the garden’s location, use of public land, public liability and recurrent maintenance costs.

Council encouraged the group to provide further information regarding the project.

Now it appears that Bushman’s Hill is out of favour, with the local Friends of the Garden group moving its attention to the Forestry Reserve off

Henderson Street opposite the former Drive-In cinema.

Mr Les Finn (Council’s Director of Corporate Services) reported to the most recent council meeting that a review of a number of publicly accessible ‘parcels of land’ within the Bushman’s Hill area had taken place.

“Sites in and around Bushman’s Hill and the Forestry Reserve at the other end of town - off Henderson Street - were identified as preferable areas,” Mr Finn said.

Council representatives met with members of the group at the end of May were the proposal was outlined.

Mr Finn reported that technical reasons had resulted in the group moving away from a botanic garden idea because of requirements concerning the varieties of plants.

“Instead, the proposal is now for the establishment of an arid garden using native plants in the reserve area near Henderson Street,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Cr John Magill said the garden group was `very committed.’

“This project has great potential and is one that we mustn’t rush into. Otherwise we’ll create something that will only fall over,” Cr Magill said.

Cr Louise O’Leary suggested that during the planning and discussion stage council could look at incorporating a cycle/walkway.

Council decided at its most recent meeting to continue to liaise with the Friends of the Garden group in relation to the project and seek information from the Department of Lands concerning use of the Reserve for the project.

Cr Bob Haddin and Deputy Mayor Cr John Magill will be council’s representative on a steering committee that will be established with members of the garden group.