THE finishing touches are being applied in readiness for the opening of Queanbeyan’s Sensory Gardens, which will take place during the city’s 175th birthday party on Saturday, September 28.

“As the name implies, the garden is there to enhance all the senses,” says mayor Tim Overall.

“There are two musical instruments in the garden, one is an UFOnium, handcrafted locally by Jack Waring-Dallwitz from a recycled gas cylinder, and a sonic bench by Kim Bowman.”

Mayor Overall said recent additions to the gardens included rustic-style gates designed and built by Council’s Alan Neal and sprinkler systems along the garden pathway borders. He said scented flowering shrubs and ground cover had been planted with low-maintenance fruit trees to go in soon.

“The gardens will have a special place on our birthday,” he said.

“The snail sculpture by Neil Dickinson will be arriving soon as will a series of Aboriginal totem poles by the Ngambrii people. A life-size Chinese puzzle game is due to go in after the birthday celebrations and Council is looking at installing ambient lighting throughout the site so the gardens may be enjoyed during the warmer months for barbecues and picnics overlooking the river.

“There’s already so much to look at now. The 250 special handcrafted ceramic tiles that are in the raised garden beds – the result of a partnership between Council and The Richmond Fellowship and the work of many Richmond Fellowship clients – are another feature of the park. ”