Revealed: Plans to remove historic Charleville Town Hall fence spark outrage
Charleville residents have rallied to save a century-old Town Hall fence from partial demolition, but RSL leaders have moved to explain the changes and their importance.
The Charleville community has expressed outrage at plans to remove an almost 100-year-old fence outside the Town Hall.
But a local RSL group says the changes will allow for better access to the war memorial.
Hundreds of commenters took to Facebook to air their grievances following a petition on the fence’s future, citing its heritage, memorial value, good condition, and longstanding history, noting it had survived major floods.
“It’s part of Charleville’s heritage, It must stay!” Judy Bowles commented.
“This is the third time the question’s been raised and each time the result was “leave it”, Rachel Wilson said.
“Keep the fence … 90 floods couldn’t take it down,” Robert Couch said.
“Why anyone would demolish a landmark that’s survived floods, it enhances the town hall area,” Julie Scott agreed.
Former Charleville RSL president of 22 years and current active member George Donohue OAM dispelled the rumours they planned to knock down the almost century-old fence, and said they would only remove a sector to improve access to the memorial.
“We are only planning on removing part of it, not all of it, just part of it,” he said.
“All we are trying to do is open up the front of the memorial because it is too crowded on Anzac Day and people can’t get in.
“Another group put up money and installed this beautiful light wall, with the cutout of soldiers and scenes of battle, so we want to make it more open for the ceremonies.
“A lot of people are saying the fence is heritage-listed but it is not; the fence they are talking about was the high metal fence around the memorial and in 1975 council pulled it down.”
Mr Donohue said they were consulting with the community through a petition.
“We went to council five years ago and presented plans to them to remove part of the fence, they put it on Facebook and there were people who haven’t lived in Charleville for 40 years who voted and commented against it,” he said.
“What we are doing is we have put out a petition and if it’s not backed, it’s not backed, but at least we did it the right way.
“We have the boys up the street for Remembrance Day and they will have the petition there all this week.
“Because it’s old and people remember it, they want it to stay, and fair enough. If the petition votes go against the committee, at least we know where we stand.”
