Niece against bequest going to Fosbender Park
An Invercargill City Council decision to spend a $90,000 legacy fund on a barbecue at Fosbender Park has not gone down well with some Otatara residents.
Derek Gostelow died aged 86 at Peacehaven on July 10. He was an only child and did not have any children of his own.
He asked for his estate to be split three ways, with money going to the city council. A letter from his estate sent to the council says: ‘‘Derek’s last Will reflects their desire to benefit the Invercargill City Council for community projects in the Otatara area and the community where he [and late wife Marlene] lived.’’
At the council’s May 4 meeting, councillors voted to spend the $90,000 on a barbecue area at Fosbender Park. Councillor Allan Arnold, who opposed the decision, said many in the Otatara community viewed Fosbender Park as part of Sandy Point and not Otatara, and that most Otatara residents had barbecues at home.
Marlene and Derek Gostelow’s niece Glenys Hawkes believed the money should not be spent at Fosbender Park. A public meeting was held at Otatara to come up with ideas and Hawkes said a children’s cycle track at the Grant/
Taiepa Reserve was more fitting. She also supported the Southland Community Nursery Trust on Grant Rd, Otatara.
Councillor Nobby Clark, who voted against the barbecue, said a survey had gone around the Otatara community to see if there was support for it and he would hand the petition to council.
The council only recently found there was family on Marlene’s side: ‘‘In hindsight we should have consulted with them.’’
The council said it was unable to respond to Stuff’s questions yesterday about Gostelow’s legacy fund and if they would review the decision made on May 4, because it was preparing for level 2 today.