Bega resident and business owner Judy Geary is raising questions over the town’s loss of treasured “heritage” items.
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During her deputation on Bega’s Dr Evershed Memorial Clock Tower, Ms Geary also raised concerns over other “recent disappearances” and “the pattern of behaviour exhibited by the Bega Valley Shire Council.
“It is not only the Bega Park lamps that have been 'lost'.
“Recent disappearances that remain unsolved include the brass plaques that told the story of Bega that were removed from the footpaths, the honor roll and other memorials that were installed in Littleton Gardens to mark moments in time that were important to the people of Bega and I have been told that 10 metres of granite kerb disappeared during recent council works in Gipps St.
“The mural that was made by a local community group and hung in the disappeared bus stop has also been lost/destroyed despite being made to be removed easily.
“I am not convinced the Dr Evershed memorial clock will be reconstructed after removal.”
The council responded to each item in turn with the following information. It said much of this information was also provided to the Bega Valley Historical Society in 2015.
Council’s heritage consultant, Pip Giovanelli, inspected the Bega Park gas lamps, converted to electricity, and did not consider them to be of significant heritage value.
They were not cast iron, but “fairly ordinary” plain pipe sections. The top sections were added in the 1980s.
New lights are to be installed this year and work has begun on identifying suitable replacements.
The tiles that were on the Carp St footpaths with maps and pictures on them were relatively modern (installed in early 2000s) and not brass but a compound with etching and removed when reported as slippery.
Upon removal, unfortunately the tiles were damaged beyond repair.
A full inventory of all items and memorials – including descriptions, photos and involved groups/families – from Littleton Gardens and the Bega Civic Centre is in council records and all have been accounted for.
The BVSC said it has consulted extensively with relevant organisations and family representatives in relation to preferred options, with agreed actions being progressively implemented.
Some of these agreed actions include RSL memorial plaques to be reinstated outside the new civic centre as agreed with the local RSL Branch; the original governor’s opening plaque has been reinstated in the civic centre foyer; McKee Fountain is now a water feature with a plaque installed; and the Littleton Sister City plaque showing the faces of two founders is to be re-installed, as agreed with Littleton Gardens Consultative Committee, with the plinth currently being designed.
Parts of the granite kerb and gutter on Gipps St adjacent to Littleton Gardens were in poor condition and deteriorating badly under stormwater flow.
All re-useable granite stones were retained and some other granite stones gleaned from the very limited council supply.
As much granite kerb and gutter that could be rebuilt and/or repaired was reinstated by a stone mason – this repair resulted in a small section being replaced with concrete kerb adjacent to Zingel Place.
The importance of the bus stop mural was noted.
Council staff spoke with the individual who was involved with the TAFE students who produced the murals circa 1997.
It was acknowledged the murals could not feasibly be removed.
An assessment was undertaken with gallery curator Iain Dawson, who has had them professionally photographed in situ with the intention to frame at full size for later hanging at an appropriate place and time.
- Click the below Facebook posts for an indication as to how readers see the decision to move the clock. The comments make for valuable reading as part of this ongoing discussion.
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