MEMBERS of the Port Macquarie Lions Club are hoping plans to beautify the Lions Lookout overlooking Town Beach will take a step closer to becoming reality next week.
Publicity officer Colin Hardwick said a concept plan for the park would be considered at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s general meeting on Wednesday evening.
He said the club had been waiting for a decision on works for 12 months, ever since the shelter over the plaque and cannon was removed because the shingle roof had deteriorated.
“A concept plan for a new shelter and beautification was released way back in May, but it is only now that council is going to discuss it,” he said.
He said since the old shelter was removed the historic lookout – which dates back to the early 1800s when the cannon there was used the guard the river mouth against the escape of convicts – looked bare and ugly. The Lions club itself had been unable to do any major work on its own iniative because of the need for formal council approval.
“Look at now – it is severely neglected and looks nothing like it should,” Mr Hardwick said. “This is one of the most beautiful spots in Port Macquarie and thousands of visitors visit it every year. It should be a priority.”
He said the club understood the council had not allocated any funds in the 2013/14 budget, but hoped it could find at least part of the money to pay for the much needed improvements.
