THE $1.35 million Monument Hill redevelopment given the green light by Albury Council last night has to be completed by the successful contractor before Anzac Day next year.
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The council unanimously accepted the tender submitted by Albury company AP Delaney & Co which expects to complete the works in 21 weeks from commencement.
Cr Graham Docksey, who is also the Albury RSL sub-branch president, stressed the importance of the works being finished by Anzac Day.
"We are hoping, that is all the veterans of the area who attend the services and the community, that we will have it completed by Anzac Day 2020 and we can reconsecrate (the war memorial) on that day," he said.
"On Anzac Day in 1925 it was originally (unveiled) and the funding from the community built that war memorial."
IN OTHER NEWS
The council's team leader for parks and recreation David Armstrong confirmed after the meeting completion of the works by Anzac Day was a condition of the contract.
The scope of works is to firstly demolish and remove all existing road surfaces, retaining walls, kerbs and garden beds.
The area will then be redeveloped with replacement drainage, roads, hardstand areas and retaining walls.
The area will be closed to the public during the works which were budgeted at $1.43 million with $330,000 of the amount being sourced from the federal government.
Meanwhile, councillors last night rejected a change to the council media policy which would have prevented councillors commenting on development applications before determination.
Cr Alice Glachan and Cr Docksey initially moved and seconded the update of the policy before a succession of colleagues spoke against the move and eventually led to the motion being withdrawn.
Cr Darren Cameron argued councillors weren't "compelled" from commenting on development applications.
"To suggest councillors should be subject to a cone of silence on development matters before those matters are voted on is unfair," he said.
Deputy mayor Amanda Cohn said the additional protocol was unnecessary.
"It is just a gag on debate," she said.
"There is already a number of aspects of the code of conduct that govern the way councillors and council staff can speak to the media."