LONDON, Paris and Rome were all built on iconic waterways, Brisbane and Melbourne have embraced their status as river cities, and now efforts are underway which could one day see Moree’s riverfront get a facelift.
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Last month, the Moree Plains Shire Council endorsed a heritage study into Mary Brand Park which could open the door to funding to maintain and beautify the patch of green on the Mehi.
Moree Plains Shire Council’s director of planning and development, Angus Witherby, said the study would look into declaring the park a site of local heritage significance.
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“That would open up the possibility of applying for heritage funding for things like improving physical works, planting new plants and trees, planning for the replacement of older trees and restoring historical features,” Mr Witherby said.
“The heritage listing would also affect, overall, how we go about maintaining the look and feel and to ensure when anything is done in and around the park, consideration is given to its heritage.”
Councillor John Tramby said the heritage listing would be fitting recognition for a woman who was a leading pioneer of the district.
Mary Brand arrived to Moree in 1851 with her husband James to build a general store and a post office on the banks of the Mehi river.
They moved on in 1957 but after her husband died Mrs Brand returned in 1858 with her six to open Moree’s first inn.
“She was the only white woman to come here for many years,” Mr Tramby said. “She had three husbands, she made do at a time there was no flying doctors...
“She had a great vision for this town and this would acknowledge the tremendous work she did.”
A draft plan for the heritage listing is expected to be presented to councillors by late September.
If endorsed it would go before the Department of Planning and Environment and have a public exhibition before returning to council for final approval.
