Crowther statue: Council will decide what’s next for vandalised statue

For two months, the bottom of the vandalised statue of William Crowther has been hidden behind a giant box, but it can’t stay there forever. Here are the council’s options.

The feet and ankles of the statue of William Crowther has been hidden behind a giant box for two months, and soon the council will need to decide what will happen next to the monument.

The statue was targeted on the eve of a tribunal decision about whether it would stay up or be removed.

After vandals toppled it from the ankles, what was left were the feet and a graffitied sandstone plinth, which were promptly covered by a large box.

But Hobart City Council staff say the current arrangement cannot continue, unless the council obtains a planning permit, something which has been all but ruled out.

“It would also leave the community in somewhat of a state of limbo on this issue, leaving all those with differing views possibly unsatisfied and leave a feeling of the issue being unresolved,” a council officer said in a report on the statue.

“This includes the parties who appealed the council’s decision (to remove the statue).”

The Crowther statue at Franklin Square, remaining plinth enclosed. Picture: Chris Kidd

Council workers covering the remainder of the statue. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The council already has a permit to permanently remove the statue, which is not yet active because of the vandalism.

On Monday it will decide what to do next.

“The options available to the council are therefore: repair the statue so that it is restored on top of the plinth, removing the temporary box; or commence the planning permit by removing the balance of the statue, repairing it and complying with all permit conditions.”

Council staff have recommended the remainder of the statue be removed from the plinth, before the bronze parts are reunited and repaired.

The council is yet obtain a quote for how much it will cost to repair the statue, but it has sought advice and has confirmed the statue can be repaired by welding.

The controversial William Crowther Statue at Franklin square, Hobart. Picture: Linda Higginson

NSW preservation company International Conservation Service told the council it could also repair the damage to the plinth.
“There are various ways of dealing with chips and spalling from localised lime washing to consolidate what is there, to cementitious infills and in extremis by stone indents, ie patches,” they said.

“In regards to the graffiti, yes we can generally get everything off - we just need to work through the process from the least aggressive to the most aggressive methods.”

The council has budgeted $20,000 for the 24-25 financial year to enact the planning permit for the statue.

The council has also left the door open for the future display of the statue.

“There is an opportunity for collaboration between the Council and another public entity for the display of the Crowther statue,” they said.

“This would be subject to further discussions on the topic.”