Shire of Northampton questions if monument to mark cyclone Seroja would be “appropriate”

The prospect of erecting a monument to recognise the devastation of cyclone Seroja in the Mid West will be discussed by the Shire of Northampton this week.

The suggestion was put to the council by Australian Business Enterprise Centre board member Don Newman, who said funding for the project might be available after residual funds were distributed following the closure of one of its centres.

According to a report being presented to councillors on Friday, Mr Newman said the Shire of Northampton should consider making a brief submission to the ABEC for a $10,000 donation towards a memorial for the cyclone.

A board of five members will determine how the residual money will be distributed later this year, with “no certainty” the monument project will be funded.

The report, written by Shire chief executive Garry Keeffe, described the proposal as a “genuine offer” but questioned the use of funds for a memorial “when there are more pressing issues” faced by communities within the shire.

“It is also questionable if a memorial is appropriate due to the heavy losses the community has incurred and what is the memorial to represent and where should it be located,” the report stated.

The report recommended that the council advise the ABEC it considered there were other rebuild and recovery issues of higher priority.