Councillor Lindsay Tanner has led the way for one of the city’s most popular landmarks to receive a much-needed touch-up. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
The former RAAF De Havilland Vampire aircraft which has stood at Wagga’s Bolton Park since the late 90s is set to receive a new coat of paint.
After being approached by several Wagga residents, Wagga Wagga City Councillor Lindsay Tanner brought the aircraft’s condition to the attention of council.
Council agreed to breathe new life into the model, offering to wash and repaint it.
“I was asked if I could encourage the council to have the aircraft repainted,” Cr Tanner said.
“I’ve also got a personal interest as an ex-member of the Royal Australian Air Force. I’ve got a bit of a personal attachment to this aeroplane. So I’m very keen to see it get painted.
“My primary reason for being on council is to make sure that we focus as much attention as we can on the assets we already own, and that includes things like a Vampire on a post.
“Whether it be footpaths, roads, whatever the case may be, but focusing our attention on what we do own to keep it in the best condition we can.”
Cr Tanner said that in 2018 the plane was taken down during roadworks on the Sturt Highway. During that time, it was graffitied and left in a poor state.
“My understanding is that in 2018, it was taken down and put on the ground not far from the post,” he said.
“Unfortunately it wasn’t repainted, so there has been quite a bit of time between its last touch-up.
“I’m very excited to see the end result. I was talking to the painter, who will spend the next few days working on it; he reckons he’ll have it completed by the end of the week and that’s very exciting to hear.
“It really adds to the fantastic work council has done to bring life to the Bolton Park precinct. Having a nice and shiny plane would be the cherry on the cake.”
Cr Tanner is encouraging community members to call out if there are other landmarks around the city that need a refresh.
“I think there’s always an opportunity to keep an eye out for anything they see in the city that needs to be done,” he said.
“I guess this is a call to the community, if there’s anything like this that they’d like to get done, to give us a shout.
