The abundance of memorials around Greymouth to the 29 men who perished in the Pike River Mine explosion has led their families to call for the proposed Karoro Lake monument to be dedicated generally to all those who have died in West Coast mining accidents.
Twelve months after the Pike River disaster, there are already memorials at Dixon Park, Blackball and Atarau, and a number of smaller ones including memorial gates at the Paroa School and 29 silver ferns engraved into a serpentine boulder in the centre of Greymouth.
Families lawyer Colin Smith said they had got wind of "public whispers'' that there were sufficient memorials without the need for another.
"We are all very appreciative of the memorials at Atarau and opposite Dixon Park, and believed that another was needed to recognise all those who had died in mines. It will be good for the West Coast to have a regional memorial to bring everyone together at one central place.''
Karoro Lake, opposite Grey Base Hospital, had been promoted as the site of the main memorial to Pike River, with a jetty and monument in a more private setting than the rose garden alongside the State highway.
Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn said he believed it was a "good call'' to broaden the memorial.
"On the West Coast over the years, many have been killed in mining accidents. Since 1846 there have been in excess of 250 deaths in coal mines so it is fitting to have something to remember them all.''
- Viv Logie, Greymouth Star
