The ongoing debate is finally over as Narromine Shire Council voted to move the War Memorial Cenotaph from the main street.
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At Wednesday night's council meeting the Cenotaph was an important topic on the agenda.
The town has been divided for some time about whether to move the iconic monument.
Council has deliberated the topic for some time and in the past month has opened the option of moving the Cenotaph for public consultation.
The key difference in the relocation debate this time is the Sub-Branch of the Narromine RSL would like to see the monument moved.
"Council is in receipt of a letter from them, signed by them to that effect. As the mayor stated, they didn't want it, but now they do, perhaps I don't know, they see what's happening, I'm not sure. But this is why it's come now," Director of Engineering Kerrie Murphy said.
The seriousness of relocating the Cenotaph was emphasised at the start of the meeting when community member Dawn Brydon stood up and explained the importance of the monument for her.
Ms Brydon described the memorial as sacred and irreplaceable. She also echoed a lot of community concerns the monument would be damaged in a relocation procedure.
Despite this the council and townsfolk alike have expressed the traffic problems and damage to the monument as issues for the Cenotaph's currently location on the intersection of Burraway and Dandaloo streets.
However many community members feel it's an iconic part of Narromine's identity and people can appreciate it as they drive by.
Community member Judy Taylor believes the structure will be run into or fall down should it remain in its current location.
After liasing with the Narromine Sub-Branch of the RSL and a community consultation period, councillors deliberated and voted.
It was a close vote going five to three in favour of moving the Cenotaph after consultation with the RSL Sub-Branch.
Cr George Mack said in the past he wanted the Cenotaph to stay in its current position but had recently changed his mind.
"I've thought about this a lot, I think it's a good thing to move it, I think it's a part of history. I take it very seriously, my father's name is on it with a star against it because he was killed. I've obviously given it a fair bit of thought. At the moment people going through can't have a look anyway because they'll get run over," he said.
"At least if it's there with the rest of the memorial, people can pull up and park and go have a look at it. At the moment with commemoration days there's traffic tearing around there, it'll end up getting someone hurt.
"The other problem is with the lorries. It will get hit one day whether it be one year, five years or six years, sitting out in the middle of that traffic, it will get hit. I think we should support the movement and still be relying on the RSL to position it."
"I have changed my mind in the last few years, it will be somewhere people can peacefully have a look," Cr Mack added.
Deputy Mayor Cr McCutcheon offered a different view which rallied the support of three councillors in total.
"I'd like to see the council repair the Cenotaph as it stands using grant funds,'' she said.
Cr McCutcheon would like to see Tom Perry Park extended to incoporate the Cenotaph resulting in a T intersection at the site.
"This Cenotaph is a signature structure in Narromine. I've lived here my whole life like many of us have and to change it would be to change the look of the whole place. I know people who support that, I have asked a lot of people."
Despite valid arguments from both sides Cr McCutcheon was outvoted.
What do you think about relocating the Narromine Cenotaph? Comment below.
