The Upper Coomera cenotaph at a road intersection since 1918 is to be moved
Anzac Day will be the last stand on a hinterland road for one of Gold Coast’s oldest war memorials with the cenotaph to be moved to a new location. See where
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This Anzac Day will be the last stand on a hinterland road for one of Gold Coast’s oldest war memorials with the cenotaph at Upper Coomera to be moved to a new location.
Stakeholders have been in dispute but an agreement has been reached on a new location.
Rotary Club of Coomera Valley spokesman Warren Edwards said the cenotaph would be moved to Tallowwood Park in Rose Valley Drive.
“We would like to ensure that this last march and service held in this location will be something special the whole community remembers,” he said. “After two and half years of talks with council and Main Roads, we have finally agreed on a new location.
“I think the anger or the passion about it (the move) has abated. I don’t see that we won’t still get some of the diehards have a whinge but it’s pretty hard to argue against it being moved.”
The state government would fund the move and council undertake landscaping, Mr Edwards said.
Deputy Mayor Donna Gates said council heritage officers would help provide advice.
“It’s been a really sensitive issue, it’s a much loved monument recognising our war heroes from the local area, many of them pioneers,” she said.
“It will have a prominent location on the top of the hill (in the park). The community will be able to pay their respects all year round on the grassy area around it.”
Mr Edwards said the memorial had been in its current location since May 1918.
“It was put there because it was the main Cobb and Co route from Brisbane to the Coast. There is a lot of history associated with it,” he said.
Council officers found the intersection was over capacity due to population growth in the area. About 15,000 vehicles passed through the intersection each day and TMR wanted to upgrade the road and put in traffic lights.
Several of parcels of land had been suggested including a council-owned site at the peninsula east of John Muntz Bridge, but there were flooding issues.
Mr Edwards believes the cenotaph will be moved in either June or July.
“They need to build new foundations at the new location. Part of the conditions council has imposed on the move is it’s done under the supervision of heritage consultants,” he said.
Transport Minister Bart Mellish said: “This is not a simple intersection upgrade, with the 1918 War Memorial a key consideration in project requirements.
“We acknowledge the significance of the war memorial for veterans, their families, and the community.
“Tallowwood Park is a large parkland beside a beautiful lake with sheltered picnic areas. This new location will allow people to pay their respects throughout the year and on Anzac Day.”
Up to 4000 people attend what is regarded as the northern Coast’s biggest service.
The march on Thursday will start at the Upper Coomera Schools of Arts at 9am, the commemorative service from 9.30am with traffic to be re-opened around 11am.
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