One of South Australia’s most iconic tourist landmarks will apparently be allowed to fall into the sea.
The distinctive Robe obelisk has sat at the end of a promontory for the past 169 years, but the local council has just decided not to investigate ways to prevent its demise in the face of relentless erosion.
Mayor Lisa Ruffell said that preserving the Obelisk, which was installed in 1855 as a day guide for ships entering Guichen Bay, in its current location was not a responsible use of ratepayer funds.
“While we recognise its profound historical significance, various factors such as cost, environmental impact, practicality, and community opinion present significant challenges,” she said.
Uncertain future! The obelisk appears to be on borrowed time. PIC: District Council of Robe
The District Council of Robe acknowledged that the 12.2-metre tall obelisk played an integral role in community and business branding, and held a special place in the hearts of residents and visitors.
However, it seems that enough is enough.
Mayor Ruffell said ‘significant efforts have been made over the years, and we appreciate the commitment to preserving the obelisk at its current location’.
It is impossible to know how long the obelisk will stay in place and, while it could fall into the sea at any time, it could equally remain for many decades to come.
The council will spend $250,000 in the coming financial year re-routing a trail south of the obelisk around a blowhole that appeared in 2021.
While preservation efforts will not be pursued, the council says it remains committed to open community dialogue and consultation on the matter.
An online survey conducted by the council in April found 58% of respondents wanted all options explored to save the monument.
The ABC reports a separate council survey found 70% of respondents thought an ‘attractive replica’ should be built if the obelisk collapsed. Less popular suggestions reportedly included an interactive display, light show, or even a hologram.
However, given the unknown timeline of its demise, the council says it should be the community and local authority of that time to determine how the iconic structure will be memorialised, rather than locking in any solution now that might differ over time.
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Better things for council to spend money. If they try to conserve it, the problem will re-occur before too long
We stayed in Robe for 10 days late last year.
The cliffs supporting the obelisk are severely eroded
The obelisk area is closed to the public, too dangerous to be near it.
In my opinion it would be impossible to save.
A few more heavy storms & it will probably topple into the ocean.
we lived in robe for over 10 years up to 2021 and in that time there was occasional discussion regarding what to do about the Obelisk. the general consensus seemed to be that the time for positive action was long passed as any work to conserve the obelisk should have been undertaken some years earlier. it will be a pity to see it fall but that is the way of landmarks that are left to their fate for too long.
Is it still a maritine marker?
What on earth are you negative people going on about ,save it save it ,it is for the future generations to see it. all you people that said let it fall in to the sea is disrespectful ,,your life is nearly over now ,so let it stay there or move it further in land so it wont fall in to the tea ,its been done before to other projects very successfully ,,so come on council ,restore it to its former glory by moving it further inland for all to see
Well said Ross, why can’t they dismantle it and place is in a prominent location in Robe for the future with an historic account as to why it was first built. Having said this if it is still a Marine Marker still dismantle and relocate and erect a mor suitable marine marker.
I agree.
Some people like to get involved with our past EG: Farina bakehouse. Reach out and ask “Who would be interested relocation this historic icon”? This cant do any harm unless a lot of; make waves are and…
It would be a shame to lose it, given it’s historic significance, so perhaps move it could be the best option.
It definitely would be ashamed not to preserved a part of history but if it cannot be saved then it cannot but why has it taken so long to get to this point instead of a resolution years ago?
Yes of course it should be saved, it is a classic part of the Regions history and should certainly therefore be preserved! Dismantle and relocate it to a safer location! In this day and age of Engineering and Mechanical equipment etc, relocating it shouldn’t be an issue!