Liverpool councillors in red tape fight over bench memorial for teen stabbing victim George Woods

A group of Sydney councillors has clashed in a red tape fight over the installation of a bench memorial for a teenager who was fatally stabbed.

A plan to honour a teenage stabbing victim with a permanent tribute has sparked a bureaucratic brawl among southwest Sydney councillors with critics calling for increased rules over the council’s policy for memorials.

Liverpool Council has approved plans to install a new memorial bench for George Woods in memory of the 18-year-old who was stabbed to death on October 1 last year.

Local councillor Richard Ammoun said he had been approached by the teen’s family seeking support for a memorial.

“I believe that this initiative will not only offer solace to the grieving family but also stand as a symbol of unity and resilience within our community,” Mr Ammoun said.

But two councillors have called for the council to delay a decision on the bench due to concerns the council does not have a policy to specifically assess the suitability of memorials in the local government area.

George Woods, 18, died following the alleged stabbing in Miller.

Councillor Peter Harle said installing the memorial bench without a council policy could “open a can of worms”.

“If you have a look in the area we had two young children who were killed because of the alleged illegal activities of a motorist – are you going to put these things in for every one?” he said.

“Sadly this is what you have a cemetery for – cemeteries are where you put memorials, you don’t put them in streets.

“It will cause more problems than you’ll fix.”

Mr Ammoun has hit out at the calls – arguing delaying a decision until a policy is developed could cause unnecessary delays for the family of George Woods.

He said the family have even pledged to pay for the $3000 cost of the bench to ensure ratepayers aren’t burdened with the installation bill.

“Whether there’s a policy or isn’t a policy, a life has been lost and a family has requested their child’s name to be put in a specific place – that’s all they’re asking for, they’re not asking for a policy,” he said.

Liverpool Councillor Peter Harle.

“Remembering a child who lost their life at such a young age doesn’t need a policy.”

The memorial for George Woods would be located 8 Woodward Crescent in Miller where the teenager was allegedly attacked. He died from his injuries in hospital a little over a week after the alleged stabbing.

Councillor Karress Rhodes – who backed calls for a policy to be developed – said the development of a council protocol for memorials would ensure the council is “always seen to be making the right decision.”

The location of the proposed bench

But Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun has supported the installation, warning against “living in a world governed by documents and processes.”

He told The Daily Telegraph that “bureaucrats want to control everything”.

“It would take months to develop a policy as well as staff time,” he said.

”It was a tragic event and people should be able to contact their local councillors and have decisions made.

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun.

“We’re talking about a plaque on a park bench and I don’t believe we need a policy for everything.”

Two men are currently before the courts charged over their alleged roles in the fatal stabbing.

Eighteen year old Wesley Dates has been charged with murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Peter Dates, 20, has been charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. 

The two men have not entered pleas in relation to their charges.