Proposal to cover-up an Albury waterway, likened to a giant drain, being considered by city council

Albury councillor John Stuchbery had proposed the idea 18 months ago to increase recreation space, with the creek forming a barrier on the Dean Street and Thurgoona Street sides of the historic reserve.

The council's deputy chief executive for infrastructure, planning and environment, Brad Ferris, told councillors at a public briefing this week that the enclosing of the creek on the western and northern boundaries of the gardens was not dead.

"That idea is still alive and would provide some great pathways and a walking track if you like," Mr Ferris said.

"The challenges will be around maintaining the creek system and at what height do you do it to stop overflow et cetera, but they're all engineering things that there can be a solution for."

Cr Stuchbery told The Border Mail he had flagged the idea at a council brainstorming session and envisaged the covered area extending from Dean Street to the Wagirra Trail along the Murray River.

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"It was a thought bubble I didn't have any great expectations that it would be followed through on," he said.

Councillor Murray King said on Tuesday he wanted the idea to be realised.

"I couldn't see that putting some timber decking on a concrete drain is that difficult and it could then provide acres and acres of open space for walking or a bike path," Cr King said.

Council chief executive Frank Zaknich said covering up the creek was one of a "number of visionary ideas" raised with consultants working on the Murray River Experience master plan for the city.

The revamp of the creek was raised amid a discussion about returning the Lavington to Murray River concreted waterway to its natural state with a bed of soil.

Councillors want the city's managers to have a feasibility study done into removing the solid lining which was installed as a flood mitigation measure after overflowing occurred regularly beforehand the bed and banks became artificial.

Mayor Kevin Mack welcomed the removal of concrete and suggested it could be done initially at the northern end to support previous vegetation work by residents.

"I think the whole returning of it to its former environment with some controls is a positive step," Cr Mack said.

"I just wonder how we cost that out and how we actually initiate a pilot in that space and bring the community along on the journey."

In response to a question from councillor Henk van de Ven, Mr Ferris said the concrete, which is more than 30 years old, would have had a lifespan of 100 years when laid.