The Pearl Beach Progress Association (PBPA) has submitted a development application to Council for approval to rebuild the Pearl Beach War Memorial.
Under the plans, the War Memorial at 9 Diamond Rd will undergo a demolition and rebuild.
Since its unveiling in September 1950, the memorial has been restored many times however the plaque is now replaced with a bronze plaque and the original brickwork has been bagged and is now rendered.
A condition report by Romey Knaggs Heritage (RKH) in September 2021 revealed the war memorial’s render is ‘drummy’ and ‘generally in poor condition.’
“The plinth either has no damp proof course (DPC), or the DPC has been bridged by the paving, so is continually subject to rising damp,” the report said.
“The upper part of the plinth seems to have been given a “waterproof” coating – which may in fact be trapping moisture beneath the render.
“It is also possible that the substrate was not properly prepared before new render was applied (i.e. it was not desalinated).”
The report stated there is a main concern about the “poor condition of the render’ to the Memorial plinth and adjacent low walls.
The report listed several options and the Association settled on the preferred option – “Replace all the rendered brickwork is solid sawn sandstone masonry to match the sawn sandstone used in other parts of the front entrance to the Hall”.
“As the Memorial has been subject to constant change in keeping with current landscape design at the Hall entrance, it is considered acceptable to change the material of the Memorial while maintaining its form and location,” the RKH said.
“No separate stone capping will be required to the low brick walls.
“This solution will require less maintenance than other solutions.”
The PBPA said they are applying for a small grant for the upgrade of the War Memorial either from the Australian Government (Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program) and/or from the NSW Community War Memorials Fund.
More details on the project are expected to be available on February 11 when the application will be advertised on Council’s ePlanning Portal.
Maisy Rae