THE Mall will be scrubbed daily, bus shelters serviced monthly and playground parks mown three times a week under a new maintenance regime struck by Armidale Dumaresq Council.
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But the plan has drawn ire from ratepayers’ groups and a councillor in light of the planned 10 per cent special rate variation.
It was rolled over from previous years, effectively delivering no savings. Ratepayers Action Group business representative Rob Taber said it was another example of Council justifying certain departments, rather than money spent on these projects.
“Some of this maintenance, I believe, is an obvious waste of money, when it can be directed in much better areas,” he said.
Margaret O’Connor called for a more cost-effective method of maintaining the city’s open spaces.
“We could establish a hotline, where the public could phone Council with problems and their concerns be triaged,” Cr O’Connor said.
The review of Council’s maintenance service was sparked by community expectations.
Kerbs and gutters, car parks, litter bins, public toilets, street trees and bus shelters are just some of the assets Council is committed to maintain.
A main focus was the CBD, with Council committing to sweeping and partly scrubbing the Mall and its tables every day.
The fountain will be cleaned every three months and there is even provision to remove bubble gum daily. A regime was set to mow parks according to their usage and toilets servicing playing fields will have their toilet rolls, soap and hand towels refilled weekly. Obscene graffiti will also be removed within 24 hours, the plan promises.
