Sept. 30, 2014, 9:10 p.m.

A BALLARAT resident is calling for two asphalted traffic islands in the heart of the city to be grassed.

Unsympathetic to heritage: Ballarat resident Brian Pola at the unsightly traffic islands. PICTURE: ADAM TRAFFORD

A BALLARAT resident is calling for two asphalted traffic islands in the heart of the city to be grassed.

Ballarat resident Brian Pola dubbed the asphalted traffic islands, situated in front of a heritage-listed 1860s cottage in Armstrong Street South, as unsightly.

The council recently cut four holes into the asphalted islands to plant trees, but Mr Pola said it would have been easier and less expensive to completely remove the asphalt and grass the area entirely.

He brought the matter to the council chambers at last Wednesdays council meeting and urged councillors to take immediate action to enhance the south end of the iconic street.

His presentation to councillors was met with applause from other residents in the chamber.

There is no reason why this area couldnt have been grassed, Mr Pola said. It is uninviting and doesnt add to the appeal of the residential heritage precinct and fails to meet the greenery and beautification aspirations of the city.

Mr Pola said the Melbourne City Council was already leading the way in beautifying Melbournes CBD through methods including grassing traffic islands.

Originally posted here:

Ugly traffic islands prompt call for action