Balmoral memorials risk turning esplanade into a Mosman ‘cemetery’
WITH 85 memorial plaques dotted around this beachside Sydney spot to remember loved ones, some are saying the popular harbour spot is in danger of resembling a cemetery.
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MOSMAN councillors have warned that Balmoral could start looking like a cemetery with about 85 memorials installed in memory of loved ones.
Balmoral is the most popular location for memorials in Mosman, followed by Sirius Cove Reserve.
Councillor Libby Moline, who bought a bench at Balmoral in memory of her parents, told a council meeting on Tuesday last week the program should not be extended to trees.
She still supports memorial furniture.
“It’s going to start looking like a cemetery,” Cr Moline warned.
“Every tree will have a plaque under it.”
Memorials were discussed when Cr Roy Bendall suggested the program could fund an idea he had for new furniture under trees at Balmoral.
He told councillors that the ugly pine barricades around trees wasted space and should be replaced with new memorial seating which would also allow tree roots to aerate.
Cr Bendall said after the meeting that the proliferation of memorials meant Balmoral was becoming more like a memorial park.
“If we come up with a solution where we have tables and chairs around trees, then we don’t have to start ripping up grass and concreting in more benches,” he said.
“We have a big waiting list for memorials, so for those people we can say this is an alternative.”
A memorial is a park bench ($1850) or picnic setting ($3100), with or without a plaque ($350).
A council spokeswoman said council had no intention to expand the memorials program.
Councillors voted to explore options to improve the areas under trees at Balmoral.
Memorials popular
PEOPLE can apply to council for a memorial to be installed in a park or reserve in memory of a long-term resident or a person who contributed to Mosman for many years.
A council spokeswoman said the program was almost at capacity apart from a few picnic tables and bench seats.
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