Questions are still being raised over where an Otatara resident’s $90,000 bequest should be spent.
Invercargill City Council infrastructural services committee members debated yesterday the wording of Derek Gostelow’s will, which in 2019 left $90,000 for projects in Otatara.
However, the end result was that no decisions were made other than that legal advice be sought for clarification.
While Cr Nobby Clark proposed that the money be spent on three local trusts as well as the development of a council reserve in Otatara, which fitted what the community had voiced was wanted, there was debate over whether that fitted with what Mr Gostelow had wanted as laid out in his will.
Concerns raised also included vandalism issues at Fosbender Park, where council staff recommended the money be spent.
Interim parks manager Michele Frey said the space would be reimagined to benefit the wider community.
"Unfortunately, in the past it has had a tainted reputation for vandalism ... [but] it has dropped off markedly.
"The philosophy is always around if you show a park some love, it reduces the potential for further vandalism."
