Graceville Memorial Park is set to be restored before Anzac Day, after storm damage and years of deferred maintenance left the site in disrepair. The memorial park, off Oxley Road in Chelmer, is home to 52 heritage trees originally planted in 1919 as a tribute to local soldiers and a nurse killed in World War I, and a cenotaph commemorating their service.
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Several of those memorial trees were brought down during severe storms in late October last year. Beyond the storm damage, planted areas across the park had also fallen into disrepair over recent years. Cr Nicole Johnston raised the matter formally in early February 2026, pushing for restoration work to be completed before the April 25 commemorations.
Cr Johnston described the situation as a battle, noting that residents living along the park had long been proud of it and that the park was not being looked after. She pointed to the scale of the accumulated problems, such as missing trees, general mess and a lack of routine maintenance, saying the situation had grown so big precisely because it had not been addressed.
Cr Adrian Schrinner confirmed that restoration work is planned for completion before Anzac Day. Five new heritage hibiscus trees will be planted along Plumridge Street and Appel Street, garden beds will be mulched, and around 350 metres of coir logs will be replaced.
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The park is actively used by the local community, with Taylor Bridge Rugby, South West United Hockey Club, Graceville Croquet Club and Western Suburbs District Cricket Club all operating from the site. Queensland has previously noted that some of the original memorial trees were replaced during the 20th century following vandalism.
Published 7-March-2026
