COHUNA’S new memorial to the district’s World War One veterans is expected to be constructed in time for this year’s ANZAC Day commemorations.
Gannawarra Shire Council agreed to proceed with construction of the new memorial as part of stage one of the proposed Cohuna Civic Place project.
The new memorial will be a key aspect of the development planned for surrounds of the town’s civic centre fronting King Edward Street.
The existing war memorial Cenotaph adjacent to the Memorial Hall in nearby Market Street will be retained.
Shire strategic development director, Chris White said that the development will result in creation of a civic space or park for a variety of community functions.
Council’s decision this week ended a stalemate over the location of the memorial that resulted in the construction of the memorial being deferred prior to the 100th anniversary ANZAC Day last year.
The original proposal was to erect the memorial in Garden Park, but public consultation during development of the Cohuna Future Vision Plan led to consideration and subsequent adoption of the Cohuna Civic Place project.
Council’s consultation process and endorsement was praised by members of the Cohuna-Leitchville sub-branch of the Returned and Services League who attended council’s meeting.
Sub-branch president, Geoff Dale said that the members were pleased with the consultation process involving council, its consultants, Liesl Malan Landscape Architects and Hirst Projects and the community.
“We could spend all day discussing the design, but we will take their (consultants’) professional advice,” he said.
Council was also told that the sub-branch had a membership of 150 and that war veterans and their families await completion of the new memorial with anticipation.
Mr White proposed that council re-engage the consultants to prepare construction drawings to enable the shire to undertake the work.
Stage 1 includes:
· Surfaced plaza area to accommodate World War One memorial, flagpole and grassed edging;
· Two quiet seating areas to provide an opportunity for rest and reflection;
· All existing trees will be retained at this stage.
