A GRIFFITH city councillor is calling on council and the community to throw their support behind his plans to "brighten up" the main street.
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"Other towns do a wonderful job Tumut, Leeton, Narrandera, they all shine, whereas Griffith lacks colour and beauty," Councillor Dino Zappacosta said.
Discussing his plans for the beautification of the city at last week's Griffith city council meeting, Cr Zappacosta said Banna Avenue needed more colourful flowers and features to provide a "happy environment" for locals and tourists alike.
"Griffith is an oasis, surrounded by dry and barren land. But it needs colour to lighten up the main street. Colour makes people feel happier and it adds to the emotional well-being," he said.
"Two of the roundabouts on Banna Avenue had beautiful flowers planted, but places like Memorial Park and the CWA Park could do with some spruicing up."
Cr Zappacosta said the community support and local businesses was needed to go ahead with the beautification.
"We could put pots with flowers on the side walks along Banna Avenue, or sitting beds or hanging features.
"It would be good if the shops would get involved." The councillor said his ideas had previously fallen on deaf ears.
"The excuse is that things will get vandalised anyway," he said.
"But that's not the case.
"Council puts Christmas lights up and while we've had problems (with vandalism) in the first year, it's been great in the last few years.
"I don't buy into vandalism as an excuse.
"But I am aware that extra funds will be required, as well as extra resources."
Cr Zappacosta said council needed to see the beautification of Griffith as a "priority" and planning needed to start as soon as possible.
"We have to look at next year's budget.
"We have to plan well ahead, you can't set up garden beds with beautiful flowers over night," he said.
"At the moment we don't even have any structured landscaping in Griffith. In effect we probably need a landscape expert to show us as to how we could do things."
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