Anzac Day Marches Cancelled

[Black Orchid]

The Blue Mountains have cancelled all Anzac Day marches because the Councils cannot afford to foot the bills for anti terrorism precautions.

So the poor diggers will not be able to commemorate Anzac Day. What a crock!!

When will this end?

And STILL we let these morons in and let them control us.

[Black Orchid]

In a massive blow to time honored tradition, ANZAC Day marches across the Blue Mountains for this year have been cancelled.
Katoomba, Blackheath, Springwood and Glenbrook will not host any marches due to additional the cost of implementing anti-terrorism measures imposed by local police.

Spokesman for the Mountains ex-services organisations David White told the Blue Mountains Gazette:
“We are devastated that we have had to take this action because it’s such a long, unbroken tradition and something which we believe is cherished by the local communities."

“It’s that loss of something which has been treasured by the community which breaks our hearts.”
“The terrorists are winning. I say that because the reaction to events overseas continues to provoke over-reactions here, in our view, which require mitigation actions that are beyond our means.”

While there will still be a dawn service and wreath-laying ceremonies in each local community, the march's won't happen due to the cost of measures including the use water-filled barriers to close roads.
Local Area Commander, Superintendent Darryl Jobson has said:

“The type of event is a matter for the organisers and we will continue to work with organisers to ensure their respective events are safe,”

It's believed Council spent $70,000 over the past two years to ensure the marches went ahead, and is no longer able to continue with financial assistance this year.

Council has reached out to state and federal government and is seeking advice on long-term alternatives solutions to water barriers, a spokeswoman said.

http://www.wsfm.com.au/newsroom/anzac-d ... -mountains

[cods]

and all those little business will suffer as well...this is disgusting....we have one lot cancelling Australia Day.. and now this its time they tried to remember just what Country they happen to live in.

[Super Nova]

The Blue Mountains have cancelled all Anzac Day marches because the Councils cannot afford to foot the bills for anti terrorism precautions.

So the poor diggers will not be able to commemorate Anzac Day. What a crock!!

When will this end?

And STILL we let these morons in and let them control us.

Tis is wrong. No matter what the cost we must go on a usual. This is a big mistake and sends the message they are succeeding. State Gov should step in. if I was rich, I would fund it.

[Neferti]

WHAT is the Blue Mountains Council?

Why are they announcing this now? Is there a lot of Muslims living in the area? ANZAC Day is a long way off.

ANZAC DAY is one of the Aussie/Kiwi Celebrations ..... perhaps a bit like when the Yanks cook Turkey.

[cods]

WHAT is the Blue Mountains Council?

Why are they announcing this now? Is there a lot of Muslims living in the area? ANZAC Day is a long way off.

ANZAC DAY is one of the Aussie/Kiwi Celebrations ..... perhaps a bit like when the Yanks cook Turkey.

its sad thats what it is.......they are doing it because they can.. these local councils do love chucking their weight around...

lets hope someone arranges buses for the ex soldiers and takes them way away from the Blue Mountains...where they will be appreciated and cared for......perhaps the lord Mayor has an overseas trip planned this year at ratepayers expense....

[Black Orchid]

I hope something is done for the diggers so that they can march if they want to and are provided with a bus.

A few years ago they decided to do track maintenance on my rail line which left many diggers stranded and unable to get into the city.

What the hell is wrong with us? We should be doing everything we can for these old men and women after what they did for us. They didn't put their lives on the line to be treated like this because of possible terrorism.

[cods]

I hope something is done for the diggers so that they can march if they want to and are provided with a bus.

A few years ago they decided to do track maintenance on my rail line which left many diggers stranded and unable to get into the city.

What the hell is wrong with us? We should be doing everything we can for these old men and women after what they did for us. They didn't put their lives on the line to be treated like this because of possible terrorism.

and lets face it the terrorists that we have amongst us will be laughing their heads off....

good one Blue Mountains Council...

these boys and girls are the bloody reason this council is in existence......they fought for their freedom..

SHAME council SHAME.

[Black Orchid]

Apparently it is more than one Council. It is a series of Councils under the umbrella of the Blue Mountains.

Shame on them I say.

[Black Orchid]

Now it's a fight between Blue Mountains Council and the State Government.

Katoomba RSL director David White said the sub-branches could not afford to pay for the measures, including the installation of barriers to prevent trucks being used in attacks like those in Nice and Berlin last year.

The cancellations led to a stoush between the Blue Mountains City Council and the State Government, each of which said the other should cover the costs.

On Wednesday night, Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said the council would provide funding and offer the use of its trucks as barriers to ensure the marches went ahead.

He said it was unclear how much the council would have to pay, but the Katoomba RSL sub-branch said it had been advised compliance costs could be more than $10,000.

"We're hoping that we don't have to contribute the whole cost and we're hoping that perhaps the provision of our trucks will offset some of that, but this [funding] will come from council services, there's no doubt, and ratepayers can thank the State Government for that," Cr Greenhill said.

Earlier, a spokeswoman for Police Minister Troy Grant said the State Government had offered to halve the costs with the council, but Cr Greenhill said he had not received that offer.

"If we provide financial support and they provide financial support, then all the better," Cr Greenhill said.

The Government had accused the council of trying to dodge its responsibility to cover the costs.

In a letter to the Katoomba RSL sub-branch provided to the ABC, Roads Minister Duncan Gay wrote: "Councils across the state have always been the 'first point of contact' to help assist and fund the NSW Returned & Services League and its sub-branches in hosting Anzac Day marches."

"[The] Blue Mountains City Council constantly cries poor in the lead up to Anzac Day (indeed, I'm not aware of any other council which behaves in such a manner)," Mr Gay wrote.

Cr Greenhill said the Blue Mountains events were subject to stricter requirements than events elsewhere in the state, and it was not clear why.

The North West Metropolitan Region's police commander, Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford, said he was "extremely disappointed" the marches were in jeopardy.

"I understand the concerns about the environment we currently live in, but I would like to assure all the veterans, their relatives and concerned members of the public that we are not aware of any specific threat to Anzac Day marches," he said.

Assistant Commissioner Clifford said he had called for a meeting with all involved parties next week to ensure the situation was resolved.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-11/c ... ne/8176792

Perhaps we should make the Islamic Council pay for all the precautions we have to take now in an effort to thwart terrorism.