FORMER Councillor David Pahlke’s name has been unceremoniously removed from a sign in Cobb & Co Heritage Park at Rosewood.
Signage for the penny-farthing display was recently replaced and rewritten to remove Mr Pahlke’s name and the date the park display was constructed.
It is believed the faded sign at the Babies of Walloon statues at Henry Lawson Bicentennial Park, which also gives recognition to Mr Pahlke, is next on Ipswich City Council’s hit list.
When approached by the Tribune about the new signage Mr Pahlke said he had not been consulted about the changes and was disappointed that the current council was altering historical signage.
“You still have Bjelke-Petersen Dam. You still have Hinze Dam,” Mr Pahlke said.
“Give me a break. I’ve got no charges against me at all. I proudly walk down the main street of Rosewood and people want me to run again.”
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding made no apology for the name being removed, pointing to the council’s new naming procedure.
“I am supportive of council’s naming procedure that does not allow for councillor names on signs in parks unless they are of a commemorative nature,” she said.
“The commemorative sign at Anzac Park in Rosewood was recently replaced due to wear and tear and former councillor David Pahlke’s name was retained.
“I think it is entirely inappropriate and vain for councillors’ names to appear on public information signs.
“We don’t see state or federal parliamentarians with their names on public information signs.
“Why should councillors be able to tag their name on signs all over the city?”
Council’s current Naming Procedure, adopted in August last year, stipulates that Councillors’ names were not acceptable in the naming or re-naming of all new and existing roads, private roads, parks (including individual park features or facilities), bridges and places .
The policy however does not apply to previously named places such as the signs in Cobb and Co Heritage Park.
An Ipswich City Council spokeswoman said council regularly replaces worn and weathered signs around the local government area as needed and replacements were arranged in line with council’s new naming procedure and signage manuals.
“Information signs, such as that at the Rosewood Cobb and Co Heritage Park Penny-farthing display, are updated in line with the council’s signage manual, which does not include current or former councillor names,” she said.
“Commemorative signs including those marking significant openings, retain the names of current and former elected representatives and other dignitaries, as is common nationally.”
Tallegalla Harness Maker Rod Statham, who worked on the Cobb and Co Coach situated at the Rosewood park, said Mr Pahlke deserved to have his name on the sign.
“His name should stay there,” Mr Statham said. “It feels like council has something against David.
“David did a lot for the community during his time as councillor and he always had the people’s best interests at heart. He is just a good person, so why take away recognition for a job well done.
“David’s name should remain on the sign, because of the hard work that he did and has done for the community. He should be recognised for this work and for his commitment.”
