BUNBURY's war memorial, including a damaged marble statue, will receive repairs before next year's Anzac Day centenary next year.
City of Bunbury council agreed to provide a $25,000 "safety net" at a council meeting last night, covering a shortfall should an Anzac centenary grant application be unsuccessful.
Councillor Neville McNeil told his colleagues "time was of the essence" as grant funding was uncertain.
The project will include a restoration of the memorial’s iconic marble solider – which has a damaged nose and slouch hat – along with removing problem paint covering the solider and Donnybrook Stone plinth.
Total costs for repairs come in at an estimated $50,000 and must be in line with State Heritage regulation.
The 90-year-old memorial, standing on the corner of Victoria and Stirling Street, takes pride-of-place during Anzac Day and Remembrance Day commemorations each year.
Acting Mayor Brendan Kelly reinforced the commitment to have repairs done before centenary.
Mr Kelly said council’s decision was not a result of concerns raised in a local newspaper’s recent coverage.
Bunbury RSL president John Gelmi expressed his relief at council’s resolve last week.
“I think it’s wonderful that they got onto it and hopefully it can be fixed before the centenary,” Mr Gelmi told the Bunbury Mail.
Mr Gelmi said he voiced his concerns after receiving calls from numerous locals and visitors.
“I didn’t want to get too political and raise a fuss but this is very important, [the memorial] has people on there that gave their lives so we can have the lifestyle that we have today.”
He said the City and the RSL had always kept a good relationship and he wanted to keep it that way.
Anzac centenary grant funding allocations are expected to be announced later this month.
