Launceston council dragging the chain

THE Headstone Project has gained national acclaim as it seeks to identify the unmarked graves of WWI veterans and erect a headstone and plaque honouring their service to Australia.

At Cornelian Bay Cemetery in Hobart, 231 of the 316 veterans now have headstones and plaques.

All southern councils have contributed financially to honour those who once lived in their areas. Headstones and plaques have been dedicated at Cygnet, Bothwell, Campania, New Norfolk and on November 11, 13 more will be unveiled at Ulverstone.

One would think Launceston City Council would welcome and support the project as it starts on the 160 WWI veterans lying in unmarked graves at Carr Villa Cemetery. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Despite a delegation appearing before the finance committee, lobbying of aldermen and support from state and federal politicians, the council demands an unwarranted, financially expensive monument and is charging permit fees for each grave. Families of veterans lying in unmarked graves in Carr Villa are desperate to see a headstone and plaque, like those which already grace so many graves, erected as soon as possible.

The Headstone Project is a not-forprofit group and wants to start work in Launceston. Why can’t common sense prevail and real financial support be forthcoming to allow work to start?