THE Memorial Development Committee has listened to the public and altered its proposals for the World War I and World War II memorials on Lake Burley Griffin.

The MDC was asked to change the location of the proposed memorials to vacant sites on Anzac Parade. The memorials’ design may also be altered to suit the new sites.

“The community will be given an opportunity to comment on the proposed new location and design of the memorials before it is considered by the Canberra National Memorials Committee,”  National Capital Authority CEO Gary Rake said.

“While the final decision on re-siting and re-scaling of the proposed memorials to World War I and World War II will ultimately be made by the CNMC, the NCA has a clear role in facilitating the process leading up to that decision.”

The CNMC is chaired by the Prime Minister and is a bi-partisan eight member committee.  The Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories recently released its report “Etched in Stone?”, with recommendations for the administration of national memorials, however the Government has not yet responded.

“While Government has not responded to the ‘Etched in Stone’ report, I believe it would be appropriate to assess the proposed new sites in a way which recognises the improvements proposed in that report,” Mr Rake said.

“This will include full public consultation on site and design, as well as a detailed assessment of cost and heritage before going to the CNMC.”

The MDC has also stated that it will seek the view of the Australian War Memorial to ensure the proposed memorials do not duplicate an existing commemorative site.

Community consultation is expected to commence in March.