5 days ago
Community concern after a town's historic gun emplacements fenced off
A regional council has responded to community concerns surrounding the fencing of historic Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacements.
The Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacements, which are the only known of their type in NSW, were erected in World War II to protect local industry, including the Small Arms Factory in Lithgow in the Central Tablelands.
The guns were never used but over time became a point of interest in local history in the Lithgow local government area.
On August 8, Lithgow City Council announced the emplacements were temporarily fenced off due to safety risks identified after an incident.
"An incident at the Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacements was the subject of an insurance claim against Council," A Council Spokesperson told The Lithgow Mercury.
"The decision to temporarily fence off the emplacements was made in response to a public safety risk assessment, which identified significant safety risks that need to be mitigated.
"A risk and options assessment was undertaken by the Council. The assessment report recommended that the safety risks present at the site should be urgently mitigated while a long-term plan is developed and implemented."
According to the spokesperson, fencing around the emplacements is a temporary safety and preservation measure, but a more permanent solution is still being determined.
"Temporary fencing around each of the Gun Emplacements has been installed until Council can take action to reduce or control the risks, without modifying the valuable and unique historical assets," The spokesperson said.
"The Council will work with individuals and groups who seek access to the Gun Emplacements for memorial or research purposes on a controlled, case-by-case basis."
The community responded to the temporary fencing on social media with concerns about accessing the historic relics, and a petition with almost 500 signatures (at the time of publishing) for residents to have a say in the future accessibility of the site.
The council spokesperson said residents will be consulted before any permanent action is taken at the site.
"Lithgow Council understands the community's concerns and frustrations about this decision, but wishes to reiterate that it has been done in the interest of public safety and to ensure Council's Duty of Care for the community," The spokesperson said.
"Council will consult with residents on a fencing solution until the Council can undertake action to mitigate the safety risks at the site."
A regional council has responded to community concerns surrounding the fencing of historic Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacements.
The Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacements, which are the only known of their type in NSW, were erected in World War II to protect local industry, including the Small Arms Factory in Lithgow in the Central Tablelands.
The guns were never used but over time became a point of interest in local history in the Lithgow local government area.
On August 8, Lithgow City Council announced the emplacements were temporarily fenced off due to safety risks identified after an incident.
"An incident at the Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacements was the subject of an insurance claim against Council," A Council Spokesperson told The Lithgow Mercury.
"The decision to temporarily fence off the emplacements was made in response to a public safety risk assessment, which identified significant safety risks that need to be mitigated.
"A risk and options assessment was undertaken by the Council. The assessment report recommended that the safety risks present at the site should be urgently mitigated while a long-term plan is developed and implemented."
According to the spokesperson, fencing around the emplacements is a temporary safety and preservation measure, but a more permanent solution is still being determined.
"Temporary fencing around each of the Gun Emplacements has been installed until Council can take action to reduce or control the risks, without modifying the valuable and unique historical assets," The spokesperson said.
"The Council will work with individuals and groups who seek access to the Gun Emplacements for memorial or research purposes on a controlled, case-by-case basis."
The community responded to the temporary fencing on social media with concerns about accessing the historic relics, and a petition with almost 500 signatures (at the time of publishing) for residents to have a say in the future accessibility of the site.
The council spokesperson said residents will be consulted before any permanent action is taken at the site.
"Lithgow Council understands the community's concerns and frustrations about this decision, but wishes to reiterate that it has been done in the interest of public safety and to ensure Council's Duty of Care for the community," The spokesperson said.
"Council will consult with residents on a fencing solution until the Council can undertake action to mitigate the safety risks at the site."
A regional council has responded to community concerns surrounding the fencing of historic Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacements.
The Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacements, which are the only known of their type in NSW, were erected in World War II to protect local industry, including the Small Arms Factory in Lithgow in the Central Tablelands.
The guns were never used but over time became a point of interest in local history in the Lithgow local government area.
On August 8, Lithgow City Council announced the emplacements were temporarily fenced off due to safety risks identified after an incident.
"An incident at the Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacements was the subject of an insurance claim against Council," A Council Spokesperson told The Lithgow Mercury.
"The decision to temporarily fence off the emplacements was made in response to a public safety risk assessment, which identified significant safety risks that need to be mitigated.
"A risk and options assessment was undertaken by the Council. The assessment report recommended that the safety risks present at the site should be urgently mitigated while a long-term plan is developed and implemented."
According to the spokesperson, fencing around the emplacements is a temporary safety and preservation measure, but a more permanent solution is still being determined.
"Temporary fencing around each of the Gun Emplacements has been installed until Council can take action to reduce or control the risks, without modifying the valuable and unique historical assets," The spokesperson said.
"The Council will work with individuals and groups who seek access to the Gun Emplacements for memorial or research purposes on a controlled, case-by-case basis."
The community responded to the temporary fencing on social media with concerns about accessing the historic relics, and a petition with almost 500 signatures (at the time of publishing) for residents to have a say in the future accessibility of the site.
The council spokesperson said residents will be consulted before any permanent action is taken at the site.
"Lithgow Council understands the community's concerns and frustrations about this decision, but wishes to reiterate that it has been done in the interest of public safety and to ensure Council's Duty of Care for the community," The spokesperson said.
"Council will consult with residents on a fencing solution until the Council can undertake action to mitigate the safety risks at the site."
A regional council has responded to community concerns surrounding the fencing of historic Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacements.
The Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacements, which are the only known of their type in NSW, were erected in World War II to protect local industry, including the Small Arms Factory in Lithgow in the Central Tablelands.
The guns were never used but over time became a point of interest in local history in the Lithgow local government area.
On August 8, Lithgow City Council announced the emplacements were temporarily fenced off due to safety risks identified after an incident.
"An incident at the Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacements was the subject of an insurance claim against Council," A Council Spokesperson told The Lithgow Mercury.
"The decision to temporarily fence off the emplacements was made in response to a public safety risk assessment, which identified significant safety risks that need to be mitigated.
"A risk and options assessment was undertaken by the Council. The assessment report recommended that the safety risks present at the site should be urgently mitigated while a long-term plan is developed and implemented."
According to the spokesperson, fencing around the emplacements is a temporary safety and preservation measure, but a more permanent solution is still being determined.
"Temporary fencing around each of the Gun Emplacements has been installed until Council can take action to reduce or control the risks, without modifying the valuable and unique historical assets," The spokesperson said.
"The Council will work with individuals and groups who seek access to the Gun Emplacements for memorial or research purposes on a controlled, case-by-case basis."
The community responded to the temporary fencing on social media with concerns about accessing the historic relics, and a petition with almost 500 signatures (at the time of publishing) for residents to have a say in the future accessibility of the site.
The council spokesperson said residents will be consulted before any permanent action is taken at the site.
"Lithgow Council understands the community's concerns and frustrations about this decision, but wishes to reiterate that it has been done in the interest of public safety and to ensure Council's Duty of Care for the community," The spokesperson said.
"Council will consult with residents on a fencing solution until the Council can undertake action to mitigate the safety risks at the site."
