Lord Mayor confirms controversial William Crowther statue being repaired in Sydney

A statue that stood in Franklin Square for 135 years, but was cut down by vandals, is back in the spotlight. Read the latest.

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

The controversial statue of William Crowther, cut off at the ankles in Hobart’s Franklin Square, has been sent to Sydney for repairs – but a home for it is yet to be decided.

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds has also confirmed that the Hobart City Council spent about $148,000 in the case before the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT) to defend its decision to pull down the statue.

“I can confirm that the Crowther Statue was sent to Sydney for repairs because it’s important that it is repaired and restored by a national expert in this kind of bronze heritage statue,” she said.

“This work is being carried out under the conditions set by the Tasmanian Heritage Council.

“We are keeping them informed about this stage of the project.

“All costs of the repairs, to the statue and plinth caused by the vandals, are being fully covered by our insurance.”

Council workers remove the statue. The William Crowther statue in Franklin Square Hobart has been vandalised overnight resulting in the statue being removed from it's plinth and then removed by Hobart City Council. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The council voted to remove the statue in 2022 because Dr Crowther was known for mutilating the remains of Aboriginal man, William Lanne, stealing his skull and sending it to the Royal College of Surgeons in London.

The night before the TASCAT decision the bronze statue – erected 135 years ago – was cut off at the ankles and graffiti on the sandstone plinth read “WHAT GOES AROUND” and “DECOLONIZE”.

Questions were asked about the statue at the council’s recent annual general meeting.

The William Crowther statue in Franklin Square Hobart has been vandalised overnight resulting in the statue being removed from it's plinth and then removed by Hobart City Council. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Two of the three appellants who took the matter to TASCAT, former Hobart alderman Jeff Briscoe and former National Trust councillor Chris Merridew, want a permanent home for the statue.

Mr Merridew said the appeal cost the trio $40,000 and it was disappointing police had not laid charges after it was vandalised.

Ms Reynolds said the extra legal costs connected to this project, were due to the appeal by Mr Briscoe, Mr Merridew and Anne Burleigh.

“Under our planning system it is possible for people to appeal a Council decision, and this is heard by the TASCAT,” she said.

“Council was required to present expert evidence and witnesses to respond to the particular issues that were raised by the appellants and this cost approximately $148,000.

“The Tribunal agreed with the Council’s decision and dismissed all aspects of the appeal.

“Unlike in other courts, it is not normal practise for parties to pursue legal costs in this tribunal.”

Mr Merridew is worried the statue will be mothballed after it is repaired.

“It is a wonderful heritage asset and I’m worried it will never see the light of day,” he said.

Mr Briscoe said it was “an extraordinary amount of money” for council to spend on the TASCAT appeal.

“It is a work of art and should not be stuck in a shipping container,” he said.

“Why isn’t TMAG stepping up?”

Last month council workers removed graffiti from the plinth of the statue.