A permanent memorial to the victims of the Sydney siege is to be erected in Martin Place using the hundreds of floral tributes that were laid out in the days following the attack.
The New South Wales government today announced their plans to pay tribute to the victims, hostages and police who were involved in the deadly siege at the Lindt cafe in December last year.
Premier Mike Baird unveiled the plans in a statement that read: “The outpouring of grief that was symbolised by a sea of flowers in Martin Place, and that moved hearts around the world, was the beginning of our recovery process.”
“The unveiling of a permanent memorial, on or before the first anniversary of the siege, will be another significant step in that process, and will guarantee that the memory of Tori and Katrina lives forever in the heart of Sydney.”
The announcement comes after the tragic news today that one of the two victims who lost their lives at the scene, Katrina Dawson, was in fact struck by a police bullet when officers engaged in a shoot-out with gunman Man Haron Monis in the final stages of the terrifying 16-hour stand-off.
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Victims of the siege Katrina Dawson, left and Tori Johnson, right
Police sources say that the 38-year-old barrister and mother of three was struck by the police bullet in what may not have been a direct shot, but rather a ricochet from when police stormed the café just after 2am. Her cause of death will be confirmed by the NSW Coroner once the critical incident investigation has been completed.
The second victim, Lindt café manager Tori Johnson, was shot by Man Haron Monis at close range.
In the days following the attack that shocked that shocked the nation, thousands of Sydneysiders dealt with their grief by visiting the scene of the incident at Martin Place and laying out thousands of floral tributes that formed a sea of flowers.
NSW Premier Mike Baird laying flowers at the scene in the days following the attack.
Now, these tributes will be given a permanent home in the memorial that is yet to be designed but that is confirmed to be incorporating a garden element which will be fertilised using the compost of the thousands of flowers.
The NSW government was said to have taken inspiration from Princess Diana’s memorial as to how London authorities dealt with the thousands of floral tributes that flooded in after her death, in a manner that is fitting and respectful.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore also said that a permanent memorial was a fitting way to honour the lives lost, the hostages’ bravery and the work of emergency services, as well as the compassion of Sydneysiders.
