Future of war memorial at Forestville shops confirmed

Debate had been raging about a proposal to relocate a war memorial on the northern beaches. See what decision has been made.

Rising public concerns about the future of a war memorial on the northern beaches have been quelled.

Members of the returned services’ community were worried that the cenotaph, and its flagpole, would be relocated to an inappropriate spot as part of proposed plans to revamp the public areas around the main shopping precinct at Forestville.

But Northern Beaches Council has confirmed that the memorial, dedicated in 1998 to honour “the men and women of the Armed Service of Australia and her allies” would remain in its current location.

The war memorial and flag pole at The Centre shopping precinct in Forestville. Picture: NSW War Memorials Register

And, after consultation with the Forestville RSL Sub-Branch, the structure, which also honours the creation of the “Soldiers Settlement”, a land grant scheme for returned servicemen from World War One, will be upgraded.

The existing brick seating bench surrounding the pyramid-shaped plinth and flagpole will be removed and replaced with decorative granite as part of wider landscaping work in the public spaces in the shopping precinct. Ambient uplighting will also be installed.

The war memorial was damaged in March, 2005, when it was struck by lightning. Picture: Ros Cannon

This decision was made after concerns from the RSL sub-branch and the community about people climbing on the monument in a disrespectful manner, sitting on it to eat meals and using it to place items such as bread rolls and sausages during fundraising BBQs in the shopping centre.

Original concept plans for the landscape upgrade of the precinct had suggested the cenotaph be relocated to a different part of “The Centre”, and be replaced with a memorial sculpture on a raised plinth, next to a planter box.

But the idea drew criticism from locals who made their concerns known through public submissions to the council.

One submission noted that the current site of the memorial was “determined after much deliberation (in 1998) as the central point of the shopping centre, visible from all directions, and not to be moved to one side in favour of a tree and seating”.

Another local wrote that the memorial flag pole and its Australian flag “is in a position where it is in view to shoppers between Starkey St and Darley St.

“Looking at the draft proposed plans, the Memorial (is) hidden from view and cannot be seen unless you are in front of it.”

An artist's impression of the proposed upgrade of The Centre retail precinct at Forestville, looking towards the location of the war memorial. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

President of the Forestville RSL sub-branch, Bob Lunnon, said on Tuesday that it “supported everything the council is doing with the cenotaph” to protect it from people who may inadvertently disrespect it.

“It not only commemorates those who have served, but those who have lost their lives, especially those who are buried overseas,” Mr Lunnon said.

“Parents let their children climb all over the cenotaph, not understanding it's a dedicated war memorial.

“And when people set there, they have their back to the cenotaph, which is not the way the memorial should be respected.”

Mayor Michael Regan said the memorial flagpole serves as an important reminder that Forestville was once known as ‘The Soldiers Settlement’.

“These works will improve and protect the monument so it can continue to honour the sacrifice of our servicemen and women.”