No estimate for when Crowther removal as council spends big after vandalism
The clean-up cost to council after vandals targeted the William Crowther statue on Australia Day has been revealed, as well as details around the timeline for its permanent removal >>
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The development application to remove the statue of a former Tasmanian Premier who mutilated the remains of Aboriginal man William Lanne could be lodged weeks from now, as the council shells out thousands to clean it after a vandalism incident.
The Hobart City Council voted back in August last year to remove the controversial statue of William Crowther, who is known for stealing Mr Lanne’s skull and sending it to the Royal College of Surgeons in London.
Five months after the historic vote to take down the bronze part of the colonial monument, leaving only the plinth behind, the statue still stands.
A planning application needs to be lodged, and a permit granted, for the statue to come down.
City of Hobart CEO Kelly Grigsby said the process was underway.
“The City of Hobart’s public art program is finalising an addendum to the existing conservation plan for Franklin Square,” Ms Grigsby said.
“Once this is done, a Heritage Impact Assessment will be completed, which will then form one of the main pieces of the Development Application.
“We expect the addendum to be complete within the next few weeks, shortly followed by the Heritage Impact Assessment, which should then allow us to submit the Development Application.” [DA submission is planned three weeks from now]
At this stage there is no estimate for the earliest date the statue can be removed.
“We cannot estimate the time frame at this stage however it is anticipated that we will move through the planning approval steps in the process in 2023,” Ms Grigsby said.
The permanent future of the statue is also yet to be determined, Ms Grigsby said discussions with key stakeholders are ongoing.
Meanwhile the clean up bill has been after vandalism to the Crowther state and a second statue in Franklin Square are expected to cost the council thousands of dollars.
The second monument targeted was the statue of John Franklin.
“The vandalism of the statues was significant and the final clean-up bill is anticipated to be up to $10,000,” Ms Grigsby said.
“Swift action by the City of Hobart was critical in ensuring the paint did not permanently stain the porous nature of the sandstone.”
Hobart Lord mayor Anna Reynolds said the incident was now in the hands of Tasmania Police.
“It is incredibly disappointing to see acts of vandalism occurring in Franklin Square and on the William Crowther statue,” Ms Reynolds said.
“Council condemns any action of vandalism, particularly in such a public space that is frequented by so many.”
Crowther statue vandalised on Australia Day
A number of statues, including the controversial Crowther monument were targeted by vandals on Australia Day in Hobart.
The statue of former premier William Crowther which has been at the centre of heated public debate was splashed in red paint and had “no pride in genocide” written in large yellow font on the rear of the statue.
The statue of Sir John Franklin which stands in the centre of Franklin Square was also covered in red paint, that ran into the water in the fountain surrounding the monument.
Alderman Simon Behrakis, who attended the Sandy Bay Regatta citizenship ceremony said the behaviour should be condemned.
“It’s pretty appalling and it’s very disappointing that certain activists use public vandalism to make a point,” he said.
“If people want to have their opinions about Australia Day that’s one thing, but this sort of behaviour is unacceptable.”
The statues were swiftly cleaned with high pressure hoses within hours of the incident.
The graffiti was reported to police and is currently under investigation.
Bikie links to pair extradited for alleged $700K drug imports
Police have extradited a man and woman to face charges in a $700,000 drug trafficking case and believe the man was part of the Bandidos bikie gang.
Arsonist blows second chance given to him by judge
Not long after serving a reduced sentence, a man reoffended several times over a three-month period. Here’s what a Supreme Court judge said about him.