Hobart’s controversial statue of William Crowther could be removed from Franklin Square in the coming weeks, with an official planning application lodged for its removal.
The application has been made almost a year after the Hobart City Council decided to remove the statue due to the ‘misdeeds of the former Premier’ it is dedicated to.
According to the City of Hobart, the application focuses on the removal of the bronze component only, while the plinth will remain in place.
“This will be assessed under the relevant planning scheme, and considered under relevant heritage legislation, as the Crowther statue sits within a heritage listed park – Franklin Square,” the City say.
“A planning report, which includes a Heritage Impact Assessment and drawings to reflect the proposal, will be put forward for Planning Committee consideration for approval, once the proposal has gone through all of the assessment steps.”
Following a review by council staff, it will be publicly advertised for two weeks, allowing members of the public to make representations.
If elected members vote in favor of removal, the statue will become part of the City of Hobart’s valuable collection.
Crowther, who served as an honorary medical officer at the Hobart General Hospital, was suspended after he decapitated the corpse of Tasmanian Aboriginal man William Lanne and stole his skull.
The statue was erected in 1889, four years after Crowther’s death.
The decision to remove the statue will make Tasmania the first Australian state to take down a monument dedicated to a former Premier.
However, supporters of the statue are making a final attempt to keep it standing, with a petition launched calling on the council to retain the controversial statue.
Multiple councillors say they support the petition, including Louise Elliot and Marti Zucco – alongside MP John Tucker, which currently has 526 signatures.
Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre’s Nala Mansell remains firm on her position, saying those opposed to the removal of the statue should accept the decision to take it down.
