Wait continues for Taylor Square LGBTI memorial
SYDNEY’S LGBTI community may need to wait a little longer on a decision regarding whether or not a permanent memorial for Taylor Square will be built.
Sydney Council is still reviewing possible options following a public forum at Paddington Town Hall last June where some of the ideas mooted included a three-storey hanging rainbow, a statue of a “rainbow god” and a rainbow fountain with bubbles on the hour.
A plan to install a permanent symbol to mark the contribution of the local LGBTI community was first mooted mid-last year after Labor councillor Linda Scott moved a motion for an investigation into alternatives to the rainbow crossing, which was removed from Oxford St by Roads Minister Duncan Gay after last year’s Mardi Gras.
Scott told the Star Observer the planned LGBTI memorial had wide public support and was one of the projects her constituents were most interested in, with many hoping it may have been installed in time for this year’s Mardi Gras.
“I am extremely disappointed that we have not seen any firm action on this commitment by council for a permanent symbol of the LGBTI community’s fight for equality,” Scott said.
A council meeting late last July saw Lord Mayor Clover Moore direct the council’s chief executive to liaise with her office to assess the feasibility of the suggestions made by community members.
An amendment moved by Scott at the time and passed by other councillors directed that all councillors would partake in the process.
There is bipartisan support for a permanent LGBTI memorial in the area, with Liberal councillor Christine Forster also campaigning to have a marker representing the area’s local LGBTI history and culture.
“The consultation was conducted months ago, but since then there’s been silence from the (council),” Forster told the Star Observer.
“Whether it’s a flag, a footpath motif or some other symbol, it’s important for the community and it’s time we got on with it.”
Comment was sought from Sydney Council on numerous occasions, but none was forthcoming by the time of deadline.