That’s at least a step in  the right direction and our well travelled informants tell us a similar system operates in the forecourt of Sydney Town Hall.

But why stop at the plaza? All of the CBD is more desperate than ever for greening after the almost total deforestation that came with the, ahem, ‘’revitalisation’ program.

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There are plenty of nice sized evergreen shrubs that thrive in pots so let’s do something to really help revive our CBD.

That shouldn’t be too difficult and it’s far more cost effective than planting concrete.

THE current campaign to secure an MRI scanner for Lithgow Hospital will provide a test for the persuasive talents of our Federal Member Andrew Gee. He just has to convince the Minister that we have a strong case. Just 30 new licences are to be issued Australia wide and 10 are already allocated. Labor’s not waiting; they’ve promised an MRI for Katoomba Hospital if elected next year. We’re clearly more deserving than our neighbours. With a federal election looming public health will be a true yardstick for voters so bring it on.

IT’S our not-so-welcome mat as the annual problem of untidy (and usually unchecked) weed growth again emerges on the nature strips from Donnybrook through Bowenfels to Marrangaroo. But political insiders tell us the RMS is about to let contractors loose on the job later this month.  Hopefully it will be ongoing throughout the growing season. Last Summer the urban section through Bowenfels was in a sorry state for most of the season.

ON a related issue of civic image Lithgow’s CBD footpaths are copping a lot of criticism lately for an apparent suspension of cleaning. In fairness the ageing pavement sweeper probably can’t operate on or around the current crop of footpath openings and the promised restoration is already a long time coming. Either way it’s not a good look, particularly at present with increasing numbers of day trippers checking us out.