Busselton RSL not consulted ahead of City masterplan moves
The Busselton RSL president Steven Mott said he was surprised to see local elected members debating the future of the city's war memorial without consultation with those responsible for it.
Despite the City of Busselton committing $25,000 to create a master plan for the cenotaph and the surrounding Victoria Park area, Mr Mott said the sub-branch had not been consulted at all.
He said it was 'not nice to see things surprise you' when discussed at council meetings and told the Times he hoped for better, more open lines of communication with the city.
'I understand that the master planning is a City of Busselton decision,' Mr Mott said.
'It would be nice to be engaged in the future so that we can provide (advice). We've got a couple of hundred years of military service on the committee of the RSL, and it would be good to put it to use.'
The city is set to call on the public for ideas for the area, including gathering opinions on whether the memorial wall should be moved.
Mr Mott said the cenotaph itself could not be moved because 'it can't be guaranteed that it'll survive'.
'We looked into this in 2022 and a stonemasons report came back and . . . they stated that they couldn't guarantee that it would survive, and therefore, the decision was taken to build a new war memorial,' he said.
'It is the official position of the Busselton RSL that the cenotaph should be maintained and preserved in its current location.
'I know that there appears to be public consultation, but . . . we would like to see consultation with the families and engagement with the Office of Australian War Graves.
'If there was ever any intention to move the memorial walls, we would engage heavily, and I have already spoken with both the CEO and the mayor and outlined those issues with the memorial.'
Busselton mayor Phill Cronin said the city intended to consult with the RSL, as a priority ahead of the master planning process.
'An engagement plan will be developed to determine who we need to consult and the method we use to seek input. The RSL and those with personal connections to the memorial will be our priority,' he said.
'The RSL has not approached the city with any requests relating to this site and there has been no suggestion by anyone of moving the cenotaph.
'The council's decision is to undertake master planning for Victoria Square and seek State Heritage listing for the cenotaph. The cenotaph and memorial walls are currently well maintained, with the RSL maintaining the memorial walls.
'Victoria Square is a park which extends from the memorial right back to Peel Terrace and the whole site will be under review.'
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