community services · Ipswich City Council
Ebbw Vale memorial soldier to return before ANZAC Day 2027
Ipswich City Council will remove and repair the damaged stone soldier at Ebbw Vale War Memorial before reinstalling and re-dedicating it ahead of ANZAC Day 2027.
The damaged stone soldier at Ebbw Vale War Memorial will be removed and repaired, with its re-installation and re-dedication required before ANZAC Day 2027 under an Ipswich City Council resolution made on 24 September.
The removal will take place in accordance with advice from the chief executive officer. The resolution does not specify the repair method, contractor, cost or how long the memorial will be without the soldier.
The final wording followed changes to an original motion from Councillor Marnie Doyle, which sought removal before November 2026 and repairs and re-installation before ANZAC Day. Councillor Andrew Antoniolli proposed adding re-dedication and changing the removal requirement to prompt action.
Councillor Antoniolli later withdrew his motion and proposed a further amendment. Council ultimately resolved to arrange the soldier’s removal and repair, with removal to occur as advised by the chief executive officer and repairs, re-installation and re-dedication to be completed before ANZAC Day 2027.
The work will temporarily alter the Ebbw Vale memorial while the damaged stone soldier is away for repair. The timetable sets ANZAC Day 2027 as the deadline for its return and formal re-dedication.
At the same meeting, council adopted a new Public Memorials Policy. It repealed the Public Monuments and Memorials Policy and the Personal Tributes within Councils Open Space and Road Network Policy. The new policy is scheduled for review in September 2028.
Reference minutes
This report is based on Ipswich City Council’s ordinary meeting held on 24 September 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Ipswich City Council approved repairs to the damaged stone soldier at Ebbw Vale War Memorial.
- The soldier is to be removed in accordance with the chief executive officer’s advice.
- Repairs, re-installation and re-dedication are due before ANZAC Day 2027.
- Cr Andrew Antoniolli proposed adding re-dedication to the resolution and changing the removal wording to require prompt action.
- Council adopted a new Public Memorials Policy, scheduled for review in September 2028.
Why it matters
- The resolution gives the Ebbw Vale community a deadline for the damaged soldier’s return and re-dedication before ANZAC Day 2027.