Dear Editor,
I am writing so as to provide a different perspective after reading and listening to the feedback around the palm trees recommended by Sala4D town master plan designers. The palms were to be used as visual signals at the entrance to our community and to encourage visitors through our town and historic main street.
Many have suggested that these are inappropriate. I would like to encourage locals to look with fresh eyes and see that, as green sign posting and symbolism, they are in fact very appropriate for some of those entrance areas on the plan.
We are a town with world class fossils. Cycads, which includes palms, have the nickname “dinosaur plants.” Though not currently native to this area they flourished around 300 million years ago. A similar time in relative terms as to when our famous age of fishes fossils were formed.
We are a town with a heritage listed park full of palms. I am told these were planted in memory of soldiers who fought for our freedoms and therefore symbolise different
things for many people including victory, triumph, peace and eternal life. In ancient Egypt the palm (phoenix) was sacred and represented immortality. In the middle of the drought Morris Park remained a little oasis of green in the midst of a dust bowl.
I like to see Canowindra as this little oasis in the central west. A little place that transcends time, from prehistoric fish to wonky main streets and people with smiling faces. I think we have a positive future here and there are lots of positives we can take away from the master plan and having our town looked at through fresh eyes by design experts.
Regards,
Danielle Kinsela
Team Palms!