Cr Maree Statham put forward the recommendation, saying the community was “outraged” by the statue’s relocation to the northern side of the plaza on a smaller plinth. 

“I am not disagreeing with whoever put that statue there, but let’s face it the community as a whole has spoken,” she said. 

“Yes, it’s going to cost money, but she’s an icon. She is a true legend, let’s put her back where she belongs.” 

Cr Goodwin supported the motion. 

“I don’t mind Marjorie being in that particular spot but the plinth, I believe, is way too small,” he said.

“I think Marjorie needs to be put on a higher plinth to highlight her achievements.” 

Responding to a series of questions from Cr Wayne McAndrew, general manager Graeme Faulkner summarised reasons behind council’s decision to move the statue.

He said that a community survey issued in February 2016 asked people what they liked least about the plaza. It received responses from residents who were concerned about people swinging off the arms of the statue, child safety regarding the statue, and comments indicating residents wanted to reduce the space around the statue to make greater space available in the plaza, he said. 

“From a more technical point of view, there were objectives set for the administration in relation to the plaza,” Mr Faulkner said.

“One was to reinforce pedestrian movement from the north to the south side of Main Street, linking the square to Lithgow Station, to improve pedestrian access to the station, including more generous civic entry and improved visibility, and to enhance the pedestrian potential of the square to function flexibly in different modes in the life of the centre, providing day-to-day use as a meet and greet place and for events...”

“There was an objective set to increase the amenity of the square through the simplification of ground level elements and to improve sight lines.

“On that basis the gardens were moved to the edge of the plaza, the installation of green wall trellises, the light poles were removed and the footprint of Marjorie Jackson’s plinth reduced in line with this item.”

Mayor Stephen Lesslie said that moving the statue back to the centre of the plaza would defeat the purpose of the revitalisation itself. 

“What are the consequences of this populist motion?” he said. 

“Well, one, the plaza becomes unusable as a public open space, which surely was the whole point of the revitalisation.” 

Cr Wayne McAndrew and Cr Ray Thompson said they had not received complaints in relation to the statue and expressed support for the current location. 

Cr Steve Ring said the new location of the statue had been included in designs of the square available to the public since 2016.

“I concur with Cr Thompson, I think it’s in a good location at a correct height,” Cr Ring said.

“I believe the community has had more than ample opportunity to have their input in this.”

Cr Deanna Goodsell said she believed the plinth should be raised, “only for pure safety reasons”. 

“I think the plaza is awesome, it’s streamlined, it’s clear and we should reserve judgement until it’s finished.”

Cr Cass Coleman said council’s priority should be completing the project, which was five weeks behind schedule. 

“From the moment this project has started it has been overwhelming and contentious. Residents are constantly asking when it is going to be completed.

“Once it’s completed then we can see if Marjorie needs to be put back then we can put her back, but it needs to be completed first.” 

Cr Joe Smith recommended moving the statue to a more prominent location like the visitors centre on the Great Western Highway “for the world to see”. 

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Mayor Lesslie said the revitalisation of Main Street “was the second-worst decision made by council in half a century”.

“Councillor Statham was the Mayor when it was made,” he said. 

“And you’d remember this council tried to change the grant, we wanted to get the pavers fixed instead, those dangerous pavers, and despite approaching the federal government and through the member of Calare, we were unable to.

“We were told in no uncertain terms that if we don’t take the money we’d lose it.”

He said a poll published by the Lithgow Mercury on Facebook was an example of ‘push polling’. 

“How about a poll that says, ‘Should Cook Street Plaza be made unusable as an open space?’” he said. 

Cr Statham called a division in response to the council discussion.

“It’s very evident I am being, I suppose slaughtered, persecuted,” she said.  

“I don’t care, I love my town and I’ll do what my constituents ask me to do.

“And my constituents have lobbied me for at least two months to see if it is at all possible to get Marjorie Jackson in a higher, position in a more suitable location.”

The motion was lost with only Cr Statham and Cr Goodwin voting to support it. 

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