Coral Bay residents reject temporary war memorial
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Residents of Coral Bay, a town 1,100 kilometers north of Perth in Western Australia, are opposing the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ (DBCA) suggestion of a portable war memorial.
For years, the town and the local RSL have lobbied for a permanent memorial in Baz’s Park, where hundreds gather for Anzac Day services. The DBCA, which manages the land, has refused to allow a permanent structure, citing a desire to protect the area’s natural and cultural values.
The state RSL and the Carnarvon Shire have already approved a design for a stone memorial with flagpoles, and local traditional owners also support the plan. However, the DBCA proposed a portable memorial as an alternative, which the Gascoyne RSL president called “ridiculous” and said would not meet league approval. The department also suggested relocating the memorial to other land holdings, but there is no suitable public space available in Coral Bay except for Baz’s Park.
Jacqui Price, a six-year resident, explained the community wants a central place for reflection and remembrance, particularly given the town’s popularity with tourists and its growing population of older residents. The RSL believes a permanent memorial would provide a focal point for commemorations and honour the sacrifices of service members.
