The Narromine War Memorial Cenotaph will be moved to Tom Perry Park, where it will be preserved for future generations. The Narromine Sub Branch of the RSL has given its blessing for relocation, conditional upon Council seeking the community's views.
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As such, the plan that the Narromine Sub-Branch of the RSL had agreed to in relation to the new location of the Cenotaph was put on public exhibition for seven weeks.
Copies of the plan were available at the Narromine and Trangie Libraries, both Council offices, the Tomingley BP and on Council's website.
There was an article in the local paper on March 14 2014 which was for the purpose of bringing the issue to the attention of the community to allow them to have their say.
An article was also placed in the Council Column on March 26 2014 and a paid advertisement on March 28 2014 in the Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
At last week's Council meeting, Narromine Shire Council agreed to move the Cenotaph next to the Wall of Remembrance, away from the constant flow of traffic.
Narromine Shire mayor Councillor Bill McAnally said the Cenotaph was an important memorial to local servicemen and women of many generations.
"It has reached the point where we simply cannot leave the cenotaph where it is any longer because the heavy traffic is damaging its foundations," Cr McAnally said.
In the middle of the busy intersection of Dandaloo Street and the Mitchell Highway, the Cenotaph has been the subject of community debate for more than 20 years.
Not only is the current location causing the Cenotaph to deteriorate, it causes traffic flow problems and leaves elderly people standing in the middle of the road during commemorative services.
"Council has considered a number of options and locations over the years and, during that time, trucks have become heavier and more local streets have been opened up to heavy vehicles," Cr McAnally said.
"This has been an emotive issue, but in the seven weeks when we had the plans to move the cenotaph on public display, no objections were received.
"Tom Perry Park has a special place in the history of this community and is already home to the Wall of Remembrance, so it is a logical home for the Cenotaph and a safe venue for future commemorative services."
Council has $56,000 available to relocate the Cenotaph, including $33,000 from the Department of Veterans' Affairs and a further $23,000 from the Roads and Maritime Services.
The next step in the process is to consult a monumental mason and seek surveyors' quotations to redesign the intersection to smooth traffic flow and incorporate parking for caravans in O'Neill Square.
