The Lockhart Shire Mayor believes the recently-finished Yerong Creek water tower mural is an asset to the town, despite controversy over its design.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Although nearly 100 people signed a petition opposing the artwork after it was approved by council, Mayor Rodger Schirmer is pleased with the outcome.
The petition resulted in last-minute design modifications.
Cr Schirmer viewed the completed water tower mural on Sunday.
"It was quite good actually," he said.
"The people who had objections to it thought it was a bit busy, but they were looking at it in total.
"On a flat surface you can only see one quarter of the artwork as you walk around it ... you see the artwork individually."
Cr Schirmer said council would soon begin beautifying projects around the base of the water tower.
"There's a playground right next to it, so I think it will be an asset to Yerong Creek," he said.
The mural, painted by artist HEESCO, is intended to show Yerong Creek through a child's eyes.
Using bright colours, it depicts cricketers, footballers, tennis players, agricultural scenes, children in Yerong Creek public school uniforms and a soldier holding the hand of a little boy.
In other news
Cr Schirmer said the mural, which took about three weeks to paint, would draw tourists to the town.
"If the Lockhart artwork is any indication, and the water tower at Milbrulong is any indication, people will pull up," he said. "When I was over there [on Sunday], there were two cars pulled up.
"I know that tourism in our Lockhart township has picked up dramatically.
"But the number of caravans that are passing through our township now, to pull up and have a look at our museum and our water tower, which is really quite famous, is dramatic."
Yerong Creek Progress Association president John Holstein, who was involved in organising the mural, said he'd noticed more visitors to the township.
"Anytime I've been down there for a period of an hour there might be half a dozen cars pull up," he said.
While Mr Holstein said not everyone would be happy with the design, he'd heard mostly positive feedback.
"The overall positive reaction from social media and speaking to people has been incredible," he said.
"Words like 'wonderful', 'innovative', 'tells a story', just information like that has been the general thread of the conversation."
Mr Holstein said he hoped the mural would help develop the businesses and community of Yerong Creek.
"We have some good sporting facilities, some good club facilities so accommodation opportunities in the area, so were hoping they'll see an increased visitation," he said.
"The village has a lot of facilities that aren't used because of population decline and we're hoping to see an increased visitation.
"The ultimate aim is probably to get a coffee shop or something like that."
Cr Schirmer said council was set to begin beautifying projects around the base of the water tower, which would also be an attraction.
"There's a playground right next to it, so I think it will be an asset to Yerong Creek," he said.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters