Sister cities partnerin Big Pink Slug idea

Randwick City Council has initiated an idea of a ‘Big Pink Slug’ for Narrabri, with its councillors agreeing to assist in finding funding for what it sees as a tourist attraction.

The eastern suburbs council, which is a sister city with Narrabri Shire, was presented with rubber pink slugs at a recent Australian Local Government Association conference.

They were amused and interested to learn about the slug’s distinctive features and colouring, and with Mount Kaputar being its only known location.

The pink slug is iconic for its hot pink hue and is typically spotted up in Mount Kaputar in mornings following rain or on misty and foggy days.

Cr Alexandra Luxford put forward a notice of motion to the suburban council’s September meeting that it assists its sister city with such a concept.

Cr Luxford said that the attraction would fit into Australia’s various ‘big things’, including the Big Banana (Coffs Harbour) and Big Pineapple (Sunshine Coast) among other big attractions.

“The pink slug would fit right in,” she said.

“It will help them boost their economy … it will help with tourism in the area.”

Cr Luxford told the meeting the city council should be helping its sister cities, including Narrabri Shire.

Other councillors also spoke favourably about assisting Narrabri Shire to seek funding for such an attraction.

“I think our relationship with Narrabri … it’s a very genuine one,” Cr Aaron Magner said Cr Magner said receiving the pink slug at the recent ALGA had brought a smile to his face. “If there’s any way that we can support that initiative, then I think it’s worthy of our council’s support,” he said.

Mayor Darrell Tiemens, who was also invited to address the Randwick City Council meeting online, said the two councils had been building a good relationship.

Cr Tiemens explained that after being presented with pink slugs, a number of Randwick councillors thought the concept of a ‘Big Pink Slug’ would be a great tourist attraction.

“We said it could definitely be a bit of fun,” Cr Tiemens said.

Cr Tiemens said he had indicated that funding such a project wasn’t in his council’s scope.

Cr Tiemens explained to councillors that Narrabri Shire was eagerly growing in the public art space and highlighted the recently completed wedge-tail eagle and goanna sculptures outside the Narrabri Region Visitor Information Centre.

He said highlighting the iconic pink slug had also featured among the council’s tourism priorities.

Randwick City, enthusiastic about the idea, has now agreed to offer its expertise in assisting to find funding.

“It’s a clever idea,” Cr Tiemens said.

“So long as it’s done tastefully, I’d be delighted.

“If it was done in a way that was really enhancing our local cultural precinct then we would love it.”