A Sydney Greens councillor has hit back at plans to create a new monument for the late Queen Elizabeth II – saying he fails to see any need for the public tribute.
Burwood Council has launched an investigation into creating a permanent tribute to honour the life of the late monarch who reigned for 70 years before her death last September.
The idea for the tribute has been spearheaded by Liberal councillor David Hull who said it could provide the community “with a visual reminder of the late Queen’s service to the community”.
Mr Hull said the tribute would also recognise a chapter in Australia’s history and could drive tourism activity within the Burwood local government area.
“It would give local residents a sense of pride and respect,” he said.
The tribute has been planned for the Burwood Council area.
“I believe it’s an appropriate time for the council to reflect on ways of commemorating the outstanding legacy and contribution to the community of our late Queen,” he said.
But fellow Greens councillor Ned Cutcher is fighting the move, believing the money for a tribute could be better spent elsewhere.
Burwood councillor Ned Cutcher
“I suggest it would not be time and money well spent and we’d be better putting our time and effort into actually establishing new green space and making that the focus of what we’re doing,” he said.
“Particular in Burwood being a very broad and diverse community, people have come from many different places and have many expectations of who and how we pay tribute to. I don’t see any need for it.”
Mr Hull said the tribute could include naming a public place after the monarch or installing a statue in Burwood Park.
“It could be the Queen with her Corgis or displaying some feature that’s uniquely Australian such as her famous wattle dress or wattle brooch,” he said.
Burwood Park has been named a potential location for the tribute.
Despite Census figures showing 11 per cent of Burwood residents have English ancestry – one third of the national 33 per cent average – Mr Hull believes the tribute could connect to people from all backgrounds.
“I would argue why many of our residents migrated to Australia is precisely the democratic principles of freedom, stability and continuity – values the late Queen encapsulated so well in her 70 year reign,” he said. “It could be a touchstone of celebrating the diversity of our community.”
The proposed tribute was supported by a majority of councillors at a meeting last week – meaning the council will now investigate potential locations as well as costs.
Burwood Mayor John Faker.
Burwood mayor John Faker supported the investigation into the tribute but expressed trepidation about commissioning a full-scale statue.
“I’d like to see a modern tribute if there is one – I don’t think people take warmly to the queen sitting on her colonial throne,” he said. “It could be fitting for a public place or square to be called Queen Elizabeth Square with some kind of tribute that reflects that.”
“Being a publicly declared republican I’ve got no issue with acknowledging part of our history – I think Burwood is a beautifully diverse community and part of that diversity is about cherishing and accepting our past. I think the Queen is a part of that.”
The proposal for a tribute comes after the council received funding from the federal government last year to commemorate the Queen’s 70 years of service, prior to her death.
The commemoration included the planting of seven Flame Trees in Burwood Park and installing a commemorative plaque on a sandstone block.
A report on the council investigation is due to be considered by councillors at a meeting later this year.