A SEAT shelter erected in memory of two fallen soldiers will be retained within the Kerang shopping centre.
“If it is not in its exact location, it will [be retained] within the precinct,” Gannawarra Shire Council chief executive officer, Eric Braslis said.
He told council on Wednesday night that council had “heard those concerns loud and clear”.
Draft plans for redevelopment of the central Victoria Street shopping precinct included removing the seat shelter which was erected outside the Post Office many years ago as a memorial to two soldier mates, George Vernon Carter and Bob Emmett.
Appin resident, Corporal Carter was killed in action on December 24, 1917 and Lake Meran farmer, Bob Emmett died in a battle on April 15, 1918.
The possible removal of the roofed seat structure raised the ire of the Kerang district sub-branch of the Returned and Services League, the Kerang Family History Group, the Rotary Club of Kerang and Kerang Probus.
The RSL pointed out that the seat is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and would need to be relocated if it was removed for redevelopment works.
One possibility is that it is shifted further north towards the other end of the Post Office.
The Victoria Street project involves a defined pedestrial crossing, new paving, seating and vegetation in the vicinity of Victoria Square.
Mr Braslis told council that there were 60 submissions presented during the consultation period.
He said that the main concerns expressed by the community centred around what will happen to the memorial seat located outside the Post Office and also the future of the memorial seat located outside the front of Target.
“It is clear from reviewing the community feedback forms that the memorial seats are highly valued by the community and that the final iteration of the plans will need to address the retention of the memorial seats,” he said.
Car parking was also identified as a concern. Improvement works for the off-street carpark at the rear of Patchell Plaza will commence in early November to offset any spaces removed in Victoria Street.
The number of accessible parking bays [for people with disabilities] in Victoria Street will be increased from two to six.
The newly-elected shire council is expected to consider the proposal in December and then redevelopment work is expected to start within two months.
