District towns win praise in "tidy" report

THE Keep Australia Beautiful Council has released its Tidy Towns report for 1997, with Palmwoods, Woombye and Eudlo attracting many positive comments.

The report highlighted Palmwoods’ beautiful gardens, parks and trees as being an essential part of the towns character and charm.

Kolora Park and Sir Francis Nicklin Park were praised for their tourist appeal and forest walkways, while many businesses in the town centre were encouraged for their neat and attractive shop fronts.

"Most businesses are neatly kept and particularly attractive examples include Alan Taylor Solicitors/Coffee Shop, the homely and appealing Clios Restaurant, Palmwoods Farm and Garden Supplies and the well looked after Palmwoods Hotel," the report said.

"The central business district is enlivened by planter tubs, a median full of marigolds and other gardens."

The gardens around the Palmwoods Hall drew particular mention from the judges.

"The gardens around the community hall look fresh and well-cared for," the report said. "Whoever does the gardens appears to enjoy the task. I especially liked the gardens cascading over the wall."

Suggestions from the judges included improving the entrance to the town from the Bruce Highway, correcting the time on the town clock and clearing elephant grass from the railway station.

The new Woombye Cafe was first to catch the judge’s eye in Woombye.

"The old building has been done up and a garden created - it looks great," the judges said.

Other businesses in town were described as bright and attractive.

The camphor laurel trees in the main street also rated a mention for adding "majesty" to the streetscape. The Memorial Park and the CWA Park were praised for being well maintained, as was the School of Arts.

Suggestions made by the judges included improving the appearance of the old Bruce Highway past Woombye, which was a little overgrown and painting the charity bins.

Judge Fiona Dawkins said Woombye was a "nice, country town", and commended businesses and residents for their efforts in maintaining the area.

Eudlo residents were praised by the Tidy Towns judges for their commitment to beautifying and improving their environment.

Judges described the town as relatively litter free, with some minor rubbish appearing along the road into town and in the central business district.

The town’s youth were praised for giving the pony club a new lease of life with a coat paint and tidying up the surrounds.

The Landcare Group was encouraged for its hard work revegetating the land by the creek and along the railway track.

It was suggested more trees should be added to the residential areas, especially the new housing estates.