Thames-Coromandel District Council staff are currently investigating a new landscape design concept for the Thames War Monument.

The proposed design aims to make the grounds around the newly restored monument better suited to hold large commemorations, such as Armistice Day and Anzac Day, plus provide improved accessibility for disabled people.

In a report prepared for the Thames Community Board, the design concept also includes a new flagpole, interpretation, adding missing names to the monument, providing a gathering place for people, commemorative features, and using materials associated with the monument.

The author TCDC Parks contract manager Derek Thompson says the purpose of the report is to seek the board's support for further development and planning of the preferred landscape scheme, and that the estimated budget be included in the 2017/2018 Annual Plan.

'At this stage a ball park estimate from the landscape architect of $250,000 has been identified for the project,” the report states.

'If council were to seek funding by Lotteries Environment & Heritage Fund (LWEH has been exhausted by fund applications and no longer exists), then council would need to provide approximately $62,500 of funding.”

Should the board approve the design and funding is granted, it is possible the works would be implemented in time for Armistice Day 2018 – the 100 year commemoration of the end of World War One, states the report.

The Thames Monument was originally unveiled on Anzac Day in 1925 and commemorates those soldiers from the Thames area who were killed in World War One.

During a routine inspection of the monument carried out in early 2015, several cracks high up on several of the monument's faces were discovered.

Following their discovery, in July of last year council secured $13,350 under the Lotteries World War One, Environment & Heritage Fund to commission a Conservation Management Plan.

A further successful funding bid of $59,990 from the LWEH fun in June of this year, matched by $20,000 provided by the council, allowed for the physical restoration work on the monument to begin in August.

The cracks have now been repaired with a new coating of plaster applied in the damaged areas and repairs to the top cap carried out in order to help protect the face of the structure.

The new Thames Community Board plans to discuss the concept landscaping design at its inaugural meeting taking place on Monday, November 14.

To read the report in full visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council website.

One of the cracks discovered high up on the Thames War Monument back in 2015. Photo: Kester Bradwell