Waimate is set to wave goodbye to the wallaby as the district council prepares to change the welcome and farewell signs into the district.
A mock-up illustration was released and the Waimate public had until yesterday afternoon to provide feedback or suggestions on the proposed re-design which featured a tuna (freshwater eel) as an example.
The new signs are set to be located at the main entrances to Cannington, Glenavy, Pareora River and Hakataramea.
The background colour, wording and pattern was proposed to remain the same.
In a Facebook post Waimate District deputy mayor Sharyn Cain said that it was time for the district’s signage to more accurately reflect the area.
‘‘Why not the wallaby? It is an introduced pest that is causing a lot of destruction to both native biodiversity and productive farmland.
‘‘We have so many marvellous catchment groups, community organisations, Pt [Point] Bush eco sanctuary, farmers, and others spending a lot of time and effort to eradicate this pest and to plant natives and bring back our native flora/fauna.
‘‘The wallaby is not seen as reflective of our community moving forward.’’
She said it did not mean the wallaby would be removed from everything Waimate.
‘‘We are purely talking about the entrance to the district signs.
‘‘Just like any sporting code can have a mascot like a bulldog or a shark, Waimate is absolutely able to have a symbol used that is not the same as the district icon.’’
She also reiterated in the post that these were her personal views on the matter and did not represent the thoughts of the Waimate District Council.
The signs are being funded from a grant received from the Government Tourism Infrastructure Fund and the full cost of the update would be finalised once the new design had been confirmed.
