Eurobodalla Shire Council’s landscape architect for the Narooma flat streetscaping project recommended a replacement white moulded recycled plastic picket-style fence to make the oval more inviting, with a new children’s play area adjacent to the Narooma visitor centre.

But in mid-2012, the AWL contributed about $8000 toward the cost of the existing chain-link fence.

AWL spokesperson Daiva Ceicy said since the fence had been in place, the Narooma Dog Training Club had conducted essential off-leash training in a safe and secure environment.

“But now that the oval is secure, it has become a draw card for other community groups as well, especially where children are concerned as they can now play ball games safely without fear of wayward balls finding their way across the busy highway,” she said.

“Comments made by signatories of the petition highlight the community’s anger at the excessive waste of money that removal of the current fence would bring about.

“While Council claims the fence would be reused if possible, what about labour costs for installation, removal and reinstallation of the fence.  “And of course AWL will want to be recompensed for the money they outlaid in 2012. This would all have to come out of council, and therefore ratepayers, funds.”

Mayor Lindsay Brown said the streetscaping committee were taking the AWL and other stakeholders’ views into consideration and no decision had been made.

The committee was also looking at other issues including improving the link between the oval, Ted Street Park and Wharf Road, as well as what feature to place in the centre of the roundabout.