There are times when members of the Wyndham community may wish to honour a deceased individual by establishing a plaque or memorial in their memory, at a roadside or open space.
Wyndham City Council met last night at their ordinary council meeting to discuss and vote on the Plaques and Memorials policy which is said to provide clear direction to community members regarding the requirements and process of applying for a plaque or memorial in memory of a loved one.
Cr. Mahfoud said that after public consultation, 34% of respondents thought that any memorial placed should only be for a resident of Wyndham who had lived here for at least ten years and had some active participation within the community. This has now formed part of the criteria that must be met.
VicRoads do not permit drivers to stop on a freeway, except for an emergency. For this reason, the placement of roadside memorials within urban or rural freeway reservations is inappropriate.
Council permits the placement of roadside tributes after an application is submitted, providing the tribute will be in a position where it will not be hazardous to passing traffic, pedestrians or prevent appropriate maintenance to the road reserve.
Wyndham City also allows for temporary roadside memorials for up to thirteen (13) months, (unless otherwise approved in writing), and they do state that they reserve the right to refuse a request for a Plaque or Memorial.
The policy was unanimously voted in by council at the meeting.
