Plans have been approved for a beachfront memorial at Seaforth, giving locals a new place of remembrance.
Mackay Regional Council has formally progressed amendments to the Seaforth Esplanade Master Plan to establish the dedicated Place of Remembrance on the Seaforth beachfront.
It follows a proposal by the Seaforth RSL Sub-Branch to create a new memorial space within Seaforth Esplanade Park, adjacent to the recreational hub.
Mayor Greg Williamson said council was supportive of the creation of a respectful and prominent location to honour service and sacrifice but resolved to undertake community consultation to ensure any changes to the master plan reflected the needs of locals.
“We know from talking to residents that around 700 people attend the Seaforth Anzac Day service and they have outgrown the current memorial space.”
“There were 109 comments during the consultation and 98 per cent of those supported the RSL’s proposal,” Mayor Williamson said.
There would be two other changes approved to the master plan.
The first is to increase the attraction of the outdoor community area in front of the Post Office to be a flexible shared space enabling its use for outdoor dining and other activities.
There is also work to be done to optimise the layout of the camping grounds and undertake a range of improvements to ensure the reserve will continue to attract visitors to Seaforth.
Seaforth RSL Sub-Branch Treasurer Peter Morris said the RSL sub-branch was extremely grateful for the support shown by council.
“All we initially sought was a letter of support for our concept, yet council have gone well beyond that, leaning forward in ways we didn’t anticipate,” Mr Morris said.
Mr Morris said the sub-branch had been doing a significant amount of work in the background to bring the concept to life.
“It’s been both rewarding and humbling to see so many parts of the community come together in support of a united cause,” he said.
“The defenders of our nation have put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we enjoy today.
“The design will incorporate all-abilities access, ensuring the space is inclusive for all who serve and all who visit. It’ll include special features recognising the sacrifice of our war animals, along with thoughtful elements that reflect the experiences of veterans abroad.”
Mr Morris said the group’s next priority was securing funding for the project.
Council will also undertake minor preparatory works, including the installation of a new flagpole at the designated location, ahead of Anzac Day.
