The $2.6 million Balclutha streetscape upgrade fell short of getting its final tick of approval at yesterday's Clutha District Council meeting.
It was decided council staff should work with the design group to find a compromise over the street beautification project for a short stretch of Balclutha's main street, Clyde St, opposite John St, where it is proposed six parking spaces be removed.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan told the Otago Daily Times last month residents had two weeks to ''knock them over the head'' about their plans, after council directed staff to proceed with the proposal to create Elizabeth St as a ''town heart,'' central to an upgrade of Clyde St.
A concerned group of Clyde St retailers took him up on that,
with five speakers using the public forum to argue for fewer lost parking spaces and trees in front of their shops, which they said would diminish their businesses' accessibility and visibility.
On July 31, the council unanimously confirmed a loss of 28 parking spots in the town centre to allow the streetscape upgrade was acceptable, but Cr Hamish Anderson was not present at that meeting.
He led the charge for a compromise for the retailers, yet he warned them against expecting major changes to the plan.
Senior asset engineer Geoff Young said his understanding was that ''continuing watering down of the concept has a significant effect on the effectiveness of the design.''
''Somewhere along the line we have to stop chopping bits off it.''
Chief executive Steve Hill told councillors before their discussion any major changes to the plan could require a further round of public consultation.
He reminded councillors public submissions on the streetscape were closed and asked them not to consider statements made during the public forum.
But he said the minor changes the council would have to vote on would not delay the start of the project.
A waka for Owaka is officially on the books.
Representative community group Owaka Going Forward yesterday asked the Clutha District Council for a long-term plan for the town's reserves and public spaces, which was adopted.
Included is a 6m by 11m Russell Beck-designed stainless steel waka sculpture, for which the group is raising funds.
-by Hamish MacLean
