Katherine Town Council's plan for an 'accessible turtle play structure' at the hot springs has come under fire with a long-term resident calling it "hideous" and overly expensive.
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Design drawings for the turtle play structure were release to the public earlier this month along with its price tag of almost $400,000.
The unveil caused quite a stir, with the main point of concern among residents settling on the lack of shade and the decision to use steel for the body, which heats under the sun.
The turtle's most recent criticism came last night at the council's monthly public forum, with Katherine resident Shirley Crane questioning the cost and the benefit to the town.
"When I saw the illustration I was horrified. It was hideous," she told council.
"It just doesn't fit the needs of our town... My understanding is it's metal or steel which will heat up in our 30 and 40 degree heat. That is an OHS issue."
Mrs Crane said residents did not have adequate say on the decision, and criticised the council for not allowing an opportunity for public comment on its hot springs plans.
When plans were first released, Mrs Miller described the turtle as an "accessible piece of play equipment designed for children of all abilities".
According to the Mayor, the turtle was part of the council's great eight project, which included upgrades to the town square, Railway Terrace park lands, Ryan Park and the Visitor Information Centre.
The turtle's body will be made up of a steel dome laser cut with artwork. The head will be made of sandstone sourced from the Top End, and it will sit on softfall - a cushion like surface used to protect against injuries in a fall.
At last night's public forum, Mayor Miller conceded the drawing of the turtle "was pretty ordinary".
"The turtle is a totem for Indigenous people, we consulted with Dagoman, Wardaman and Jawoyn and in one day they came up with that," she said.
Mrs Miller said draft plans are in the works for a solid shade structure, and assured the gallery the turtle was not a cost to rate payers.
"This is an NT Government grant," she said.
"It is custom made - a one off - that is what makes it expensive, but it will last a very, very long time."
Earlier in the month the council pushed back the promised unveiling date of April.
With an initial consultant cost of $600,000, well over the council's budget of $375,846, the council sought to apply for an exemption to tender guidelines so it could engage a second consultant Ashford Architect Group - the designers already in charge of revitalising Katherine's CBD.
At the time, Mayor Miller said Katherine residents would have to wait 16 weeks from the government's approval.
She also confirmed the works would not disrupt the opening of the hot springs.
However, at last night's meeting, Mayor Miller said the turtle would be opened "sometime this year".
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