Cannon missing from Cannon Hill found “rusting away” at council storage facility as debate about historic site’s future continues
Warrnambool residents are outraged council funded a $40k business case for development at an historic site while a piece of its history is left to fall apart.
Warrnambool
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The Warrnambool community is outraged its council has spent $40,000 on a business case for an art gallery at a historic site when a piece of its history has been left to fall apart.
Juli-Anne Grauer, from the “Hands Off Cannon Hill” group, recently shared photos of a 1916 cannon that was left at a council storage facility.
The photos show an historical cannon “rusting away” in the long grass, upsetting many community members who believed it was one of two cannons Warrnambool City Council removed from the lookout for repairs in 2020.
Only one has since been repaired and returned to the site.
Council chief executive Andrew Mason said the project to repair the cannon was “on hold”.
“Unfortunately after about a century of exposure at one of the windiest sites in the city so close to the ocean, the second gun is at a point where it needs more extensive and significant repairs in order to be made safe for public display again.
“We are always open to discussions, in conjunction with the RSL, with individuals or groups looking to put their hand up to undertake repairs on the remaining gun.”
It all comes after another petition was created to reject the idea for an art gallery at historic Cannon Hill.
Missy Taylor-Bryce created the latest community petition in April and it has already attracted 1500 signatures.
At a council meeting earlier this month, Mayor Debbie Arnott stressed that no decision had yet been made to develop an art gallery at the site.
Brian Guyett, whose original petition received over 5000 signatures in October last year, said the site was “too valuable” to build over.
“We’re not anti-art gallery but don’t take away Cannon Hill — hundreds of people visit Cannon Hill every day.
“I’ve got a friend who has cancer who enjoys going there after she’s done her chemo — she likes to go there as part of her therapy and to enjoy the views.”
Dozens of community members gathered there last week to voice their opposition to development at the site.
“It’s a great area to park and enjoy the views. An art gallery here would block those views,” Wes White said.
Darren McCosh said developing the site would be “disrespectful”.
“Cannon Hill is a tribute to those who came before us, and because of them we wouldn’t have had the freedom and lifestyle that we do,” he said.
“It’s disrespecting the RSL, the nearby war memorial and the history of Cannon Hill and Warrnambool if they put an art gallery here.”
Annette Walther also spoke out against the plan, saying it would turn the area into a “concrete jungle”.
Kate McKinnon said about 4000 “Hands off Cannon Hill” bumper stickers had been printed after council funded a business case for the gallery project.
Carolyn Fawcett was “devastated” when she heard about the business case being prepared for an art gallery at the site.
“My first thought was they can’t be serious — they can’t destroy Cannon Hill and put some two or three storey art gallery there,” she said.
“It’s unbelievable. The community has spoken loudly — we don’t want it here.
“If they want an art gallery — that’s fine — but not here.
“The heritage of the area just needs to stay the way it is — natural and untouched.”
Ms Fawcett said people took their families up to the site for picnics, car shows were held on the grass and New Year’s Eve events were popular for locals and visitors alike.
“It’s a community-gathering space and we don’t want a building put over it — it’s as simple as that.”
Ms Fawcett said many community members believed a new art gallery would be more appropriate at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village Museum.
“The art gallery could become part of the museum — there’s a restaurant there, there’s a great big car park where there’s plenty of room to build and a tourist information centre.
“By putting the art gallery there with that, it’s killing two birds with one stone.
“If there’s local artists that want to display their work they can, but not at Cannon Hill.”
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