Plans for a digital advertising sign overlooking Chatswood’s garden of remembrance have been scrapped, after concerns were raised regarding its highly inappropriate visual impact.
The Chatswood garden, which commemorates local war veterans from the Willoughby district, is highly regarded as a place of quiet contemplation and remembrance for those who passed during the world wars.
According to Willoughby city council, NSW government approved plans for the 12.5-metre-wide and 3.95-metre-high garnish sign, proposed by Sydney Trains, to be placed alongside the garden of remembrance.
Following its approval, it is understood council and members of the community strongly opposed to the decision, and in early 2021, Willoughby city council lodged an objection to the advertising sign.
On 24 October this year, Member for Willoughby Tim James announced the sign would be halted.
Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor welcomed the decision by saying it would have been unthinkable to see the garden impacted by the garnish sign.
“I am pleased to see the council’s advocacy, along with a strong reaction from community members including local veterans, has helped preserve this sensitive, beautiful and historically important place in the middle of the Chatswood CBD,” Mayor Taylor said.