Mount Isa City Council endorses Frank Ashton Hill for Mine Workers Memorial

In an ordinary council meeting on Wednesday April 27, Council carried the motion to endorse the Mine Workers Memorial Consultation Report and approves the report's recommendation for Frank Ashton Hill be the site subject to concept and detailed design, geo-technical survey of the site, and heritage requirements check.

It was also moved that Council approved the concept and detailed design works be completed by CA Architects for George McCoy Park.

It was moved by Councillor Kim Coghlan and seconded by Cr Paul Stretton, with deputy mayor Cr Phil Barwick voting against the proposal.

Cr Barwick said he did not agree with the recommendation in its entirety.

"I don't approve of the site, Frank Ashton Hill, I think it is a very uncomfortable site to be building anything of this nature. Because of the nature of it and the lack of access from tourists and people to visit the site is already difficult," he said.

"I think George McCoy Park is a very good choice and it allows for a lot of room and expansion for people visiting the site, so I don't support the recommendation in its entirety."

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Cr Coghlan said Frank Ashton Hill was named as the preferred site with the Mount Isa Miners Memorial advisory committee.

"There are a lot of things they (CA Architects) need to look at to make sure that the site is not going to cost too much money to have it stabalised ready," she said.

"(CA Architects) gave a great presentation to the committee, I thought, they listened to all the committee members, so hopefully something really grand will come out of this."

Mayor Danielle Slade said the design concept must be easily accessible.

"I walked around the whole hill and it is an amazing hill! It has a million dollar view when you're up the top. I think the committee have acknowledged that they would specifically look at the making it easily accessible for the public and specifically look at the design for it," she said.

"I do think George McCoy Park would be a good second choice, it's a good park, the only problem is its view is obstructed by the skyline and at the moment it is one of Council's overflow sites, so there is a few challenges with that one."

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