Blue Horse Causes Blue

LAST night Council voted to buy a $15,000 Blue Horse to help attract tourists to the area.

The sculpture, Big Blue, by Nick Adams was on display in the Shire during the 2016 Horse Festival.

Mayor Wayne Bedggood declared a conflict of interest and left the room while the motion was debated.

Councillors Lee Watts and Lorna Driscoll both opposed the motion to buy Big Blue.

“I don’t believe residents would want us to spend $15,000 on the horse right now and I think it could be spent elsewhere,” said Cr Watts.

“They don’t even know where they are going to house the sculpture and each time it is moved it has been damaged by moving it so far,” she said.

“The money could be spent on shade sails over play equipment, or play equipment for children under the age of four, which we don’t have, or emergency crisis accommodation,” Cr Lee Watts said.

The sculpture Big Blue by Nick Adams is now owned by the Upper Hunter Shire Council.

However Cr Ron Campbell said he believed it would be a tourism attraction.

“I am a bit concerned about the life of the bailing twine, but I want it to be kept in the Shire and it would be a good tourist attraction,” said Cr Campbell.

Councillor Campbell also said he and two other Councillors (who were not identified) would contribute a total of $1,000 towards the cost of buying the horse.

Cr Maurice Collison said he would donate $1,000 and Cr Kiwa Fisher also donated $1,000.

After the motion was passed by Council and Mayor Bedggood reentered the meeting, Cr Collison proudly advised him, “we have a pledge of $3,ooo towards your project.”

Mayor Bedggood has also contributed money towards the purchase of the horse, but the amount was not disclosed.

The outstanding amount of money to purchase Big Blue will be paid for by ratepayers.

Related stories:

• Big Blue on Display – May 14, 2016
• Blue Blue in Place – April 1, 2016
• Big Blue Rides In – March 22, 2016