City of Darwin sets family September 30 deadline for cross removal after single complaint

With a single complaint threatening to remove her brother’s handmade memorial in the Top End, a Red Centre woman is fighting for change, saying “if they remove one cross they should remove them all”.

Vicki Hayes (centre) with her brother Steven, nephew Damien, and niece Kitisha at the Nightcliff Rd and Clematis St memorial to her brother Wayne. Picture: Supplied

With a single complaint threatening to remove her brother’s handmade memorial in the Top End, a Red Centre woman is now fighting for change, saying “if they remove one cross they should remove them all”.

In August, Alice Springs resident Vicki Hayes and her family erected a memorial for her late brother on the corner of Nightcliff Rd and Clematis St, Darwin.

But two days later, she said she was contacted by the City of Darwin, who told her the memorial needed to be taken down by September 30, due a single complaint lodged by a resident on Clematis St.

Vicki Hayes at the Nightcliff Rd and Clematis St memorial to her brother Wayne, who died in March this year. Picture: Supplied

The Nightcliff Rd and Clematis St memorial to Wayne Hayes, installed by Vicki Hayes and family. Picture: Supplied

The council said it would remove the memorial in line with the NT Government’s memorials policy – which states the council must act on complaints or objections.

“If they remove one cross they should remove them all,” she said.

“Why should they take our brother’s cross when there’s thousands all over Darwin that are bigger and more out there, and on main roads, and ours is on a secluded street.

“This is where we go to find spirituality and connect with my brother.

“Everyone’s got memorials all over Australia.

“This is for everybody.”

In correspondence between Ms Hayes and the Darwin City Council, seen by this masthead, council confirmed it “received a complaint regarding this memorial from a nearby resident”.

“The resident objects to this memorial being placed at this location,” a council manager told Ms Hayes.

Ms Hayes believes only one resident is against the cross in its current location, and is adamant she won’t take it down.

A City of Darwin spokesperson said the current memorial policy allows for recognition “in the form of a plaque on a memorial wall, seat with plaque, or tree with plaque”.

“City of Darwin does not approve roadside memorials, and under the Northern Territory Government’s policy, objections from nearby residents are grounds for the removal of a memorial,” they said.

“When reviewing an objection, City of Darwin does not assess the reasons for the objection and will contact next of kin or family members to try and seek a resolution in line with our policies.

“City of Darwin understands these are sensitive issues and aims to treat all matters with dignity and respect.”

Ms Hayes said she also reached out to Territory and federal politicians to garner support.

Originally published as City of Darwin sets family September 30 deadline for cross removal after single complaint