Gunnedah's iconic Dorothea Mackellar statue is "being restored to its rightful surround", the Dorothea Mackeller Memorial Society says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Society member Philippa Murray approached the NVI in December 2018 about the close proximity of the new pool fence to the memorial, saying it showed a "total disregard" for the late renowned poet.
Read also:
The back drop of security fencing was likened to "a prison yard" by Councillor Owen Hasler and the society argued that it did not allow adequate access to the statue and was not consulted about the fence's location during the pool upgrade.
Almost a year later, the fence is being taken down so it can be moved back 2.4m.
Society president Juliana McArthur said it was pleasing that the work had started and it would "restore some dignity" to the memorial.
"We look forward to working with council for the planting, which will further enhance the area ... we've got quite a few green thumbs in the society," she said.
Ms Murray it was "a great outcome".
"I'm glad that common sense has prevailed and I think the statue is now being treated with some respect; I thank council for their wisdom," she said.
"One of the icons of our town is being restored to its rightful surround."
Gunnedah Shire Council actioned the relocation of the fence after Cr Hasler made a passionate address in the August council meeting and councillors voted to use left-over pool funding for the task.
The statue's floodlight will also be reinstalled and the surrounds of the statue will be rehabilitated.