Overwhelming evidence of KGB activity in Katoomba street has been reported by local shoppers and businesses. A mass of petunias, pansies, marigolds and alyssum has cut a swathe of colour down the street
Katoomba Chamber of Commerce and Community president Mark Jarvis confirmed the spring offensive was the work of the Katoomba Garden Brigade, the chamber's volunteer gardening arm.
“The KGB were out at dawn over three days last week to put some springtime pizzaz into Katoomba," he said.
Mr Jarvis said that the KGB on-soil operations are supported by the council.
"It has been a very productive partnership. We provide the volunteer labour and street barrels and the council covers the costs of the plants and soil products."
Lui Friscioni of Heart of Stone in Katoomba Street, and another KGB operative, said that eight new wine barrels had been planted out and placed in the lower end of the street.
“The garden beds are thinner on the ground as you go down the hill so we decided to boost the floral quotient with more flowery barrels.
“It adds to the KGB workload but this will be greatly reduced by the gallery owners and shopkeepers who have offered to water and talk to the plants in the barrels outside their shop. If they are pressed for time, just watering is OK.”
The K Street pizzaz has included a giant striped top hat wreathed in flowers on the clock arch made by Christine’s Millinery and funded by the Chamber. It is expected to be re-erected next week after some interference, perhaps by hat-loving locals.
Mr Jarvis said that hats were part of Katoomba style.
“I think we might see more giant hats popping up over time.”
