Bathurst's bicentennial flagstaff needs structural integrity work

The Western Advocate believes that the earth underneath the flagstaff has been moving, resulting in cracks forming and tiles falling from the structure's walls.

The flagstaff was originally built in 2015 over an old toilet block, the same year Bathurst celebrated its 200^th birthday.

READ MORE:

Bathurst councillor Monica Morse said Bathurst Regional Council is aware of the damage that has occurred at the flagstaff but work had been delayed because of the COVID-19 lockdown across NSW.

"The original idea was a brilliant idea of architect Henry Bialowas, but going back many years, the land where the flagstaff is was originally a tip for landfill," she explained.

"When they did the excavation for the flag staff in 2015, they built what they thought was going to be a really sound structure. There was a toilet block there as well.

"What has happened over the past couple of years is that the ground has been moving. The city engineer told me this a couple of days ago because I was very concerned.

"They had to do some basic works to stabilise it all because we can't have it moving, as it was the original coordinates of Governor Macquarie."

Cr Morse is hoping that work to fix the flagstaff can go ahead when the current COVID-19 restrictions ease.

"In the course of that movement, the tiles have come off the wall. The replacement tiles are on their way, but COVID is holding it up but work is certainly underway," she said.

"Council hasn't forgot about it. The flagstaff is an important asset to the city and it's important we look after it."

Mr Bialowas, who was the man originally hired to design the flagstaff and said he was aware of the damage, however, he said the issue is not a architecture-related one.

The flagstaff was built on the site Governor Macquarie first declared the townsite of Bathurst on May 7, 1815, with the new structure officially reinstalled exactly 200 years later.

Under the glass pyramid below the 10 metre flag pole is the plaque from the first flag staff.