REDEVELOPMENTS at the Rocky Hill War Memorial won’t be ready in time for this year’s ANZAC Day Dawn Service, says Goulburn RSL Sub Branch President Gordon Wade.
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Rain has been causing extensive delays to the project and Mr Wade said the Dawn Service would stay in Belmore Park for this year.
Denrith Pty Ltd is undertaking the approximate $400,000 work, which involves lowering the forecourt by one metre so that it sits within the surrounding landform and reduces slope. It will also feature local stone inlays and seating for up to 60 people.
The project started in February and was expected to take eight weeks.
Council’s engineering services director Terry Cooper told the Post that works had been stopped for the last three to four days due to rain.
“We’re still envisaging the project to be finished by the second week in April,” he said.
“Workers had started pouring the concrete for the stairs, but because of the rain it has been deferred. But we’re still comfortable with completion by the middle of April.”
Mr Cooper said that even though the site would be ready well before ANZAC Day the decision by the RSL Sub Branch to still hold the Dawn Service at Belmore Park was ultimately up to them.
“The Sub Branch will have to make a decision as to where they will have their Anzac Day ceremonies into the future. If they wish to go up there, it’s up to them,” he said.
“We also still haven’t received any information from them as to what they want to do for the Gallipoli centenary next year. But if they want to hold ceremonies up there, we’re certainly more than happy to facilitate that for them.”
Sub Branch President Gordon Wade told the Post that the branch wants the site to be completed without too much of a rush.
“I spoke to Council’s parks and recreation officer Jason Moroney and he said the works were still progressing well,” Mr Wade said.
“As I’ve said before, we don’t want Council to rush this and we want to ensure that things are done properly. I met up with Geoff Kettle and associated staff yesterday (Wednesday) and my desire is certainly for us to hold the Remembrance Day service at Rocky Hill on November 11. We also look forward to hosting the Dawn Service at the Memorial for the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign in 2015.”