After almost 25 years of negotiations Narromine Shire Council is moving the Cenotaph.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Years of on-and-off debates and recent months of vigorous toing and froing between the council and townsfolk came down to Wednesday's July ordinary meeting. Despite a groundswell of support for the Cenotaph to remain where it is, council has decided it should be moved.
A crowd of 20 people showed up to hear council's decision.
Councillor George Mack amended the recommended motion from the business paper, it was agreed on unanimously.
The motion included:
"1. That council engage a landscape architect to develop the best option for the future layout of the town square with the position of the Cenotaph the highest priority.
"2. That council choose option two (of the quotes) of all new granite excepting the Honour Rolls.
"3. That council accepts the quotation of $86,063 (exclusive GST) from the stonemason for the full replacement of all granites and stones.
"4. That a further report to be presented to council in August for consideration once quotations are confirmed and sources of funds identified."
Cr Mack said leaving the Cenotaph in is current position was illogical.
"To those who want to do nothing and leave it where it is, council does not have that option. Council is the custodian of the Cenotaph and owes it to the community to maintain it in such a way that it will be there many more generations to enjoy and appreciate," he said.
"To rebuild it exactly where it is, is illogical."
Cr Mack predicts the monument should be ready for the 2015 ANZAC celebrations, the 100-year anniversary.
Members of the community were able to voice their opinions in a public forum at the beginning of the meeting.
Community member Dawn Brydon has been outspoken about the Cenotaph since council raised the issues some months ago.
"It's disgusting to uproot history in favour of car parking. Alter the traffic situation rather than move the Cenotaph," Mrs Brydon said.
"(The Cenotaph) deserves a prominent position in town. Residents have made it clear they didn't want it moved (at the public meeting last week)."
Mrs Brydon believes the monument has been disregarded for some time.
"It was handed to council in 1924, it becomes a duty of care. Where has the duty of care been since 1924?" she questioned.
"The people own council, thereby they own the Cenotaph. It has committed no crime by being there."
Other community members question whether the council was only moving the Cenotaph because the grant became available and why it has only recently been revealed council is the owner of the memorial.
Despite the public comment, the council was in full agreement on the motion passed at Wednesday's meeting.
Mayor of Narromine Shire, Bill McAnally said council would make the final decision on the placement of the Cenotaph.
There was some confusion when the motion was passed, which was clarified by the Mayor.
Once the matter had been resolved the majority of the crowd left the chambers.
Let us know what you think by commenting below or sending a letting to the editor, email grace.ryan@fairfaxmedia.com.au
