The council – with superb holiday weekend timing – announced on Thursday the community’s input is now being sought on the preferred location for the clock.

Now that we’re able to give that announcement a decent plug, we’d encourage anyone with an interest in the clock tower – or any of the region’s history for that matter – to make your views known.

Heritage matters are also top of mind for those close to the other recent decision of council to forgo its own planning procedures and heritage consultant in granting consent to a residential DA adjacent to Rockleigh Homestead in Angledale.

Four metres may not mean much in the big scheme of development throughout our shire, but readers including the Bega Valley Historical Society believe the council needs to amend its ways in regards to discussion around heritage assets.

The decision to relocate the clock tower was made by council following discussion of a landscape master plan for Bega and the perceived need for traffic lights at the Carp/Gipps St intersection.

The public were not consulted prior to the council decision as to whether we wanted the clock tower moved in the first place. However, we are being asked as to our preferred location now that it is to be shifted.

In the wake of that council decision, the Bega District News ran an online reader poll across several of our articles regarding the Dr Evershed clock tower.

Poll results stand at 61.38% against relocating it; 29.48% for shifting it Littleton Gardens; 7.65% for a shift to elsewhere in town; and 1.49% unsure.

BVSC manager of community and culture Simon Schweitzer said the importance of the memorial was well understood, hence this round of public consultation.

“If you have an interest in Bega, either as a resident or visitor, we invite you to tell us where you think the Bega Memorial Clock Tower should be located and why,” he said in Thursday’s release.

Council staff will be on hand at a listening post at this week’s SCPA Market from 10am until 1pm to garner community views.

We read nothing into the coincidence of Friday being April Fool’s Day.

Formal submissions can also be sent to council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au or PO Box 492, Bega, NSW 2550.