A grieving Queensland mom is in a battle with a neighborhood council to maintain a public memorial devoted to her late teenage son.
Rachael Coyle mentioned there had been an outpouring of grief when her much-loved son Jayden Eire, 18, died abruptly in Blackwater on Could 22 final yr.
Jayden had lately moved from Rockhampton to the Central Highlands city within the hope of getting work within the mines.
However the rugby-loving teen already had family members and plenty of associates in Blackwater, Ms Coyle mentioned.
When her son died, heartbroken family and friends went to the park on Blain Avenue the place he had handed away and arrange a memorial.
Police on the time mentioned there have been no suspicious circumstances surrounding Jayden's dying.
"I feel the memorial began the day after Jayden handed away, or probably even that day," Ms Coyle mentioned.
"It was simply the group, and all his associates in Blackwater. It is completely pretty, simply actually lovely."
Over time, the memorial grew. There have been painted rocks, flowers, pictures and padlocks on the fence.
Ms Coyle mentioned her son was laid to relaxation in Rockhampton, a number of hours from Blackwater, so the memorial was a particular place for Jayden's family and friends to go to domestically of their grief.
"My mum lives in Blackwater and he or she goes to the park each night time when she's on the town," Ms Coyle mentioned.
"Folks speak to her, they divulge heart's contents to her they usually inform her how lovely it's, how comforting and peaceable it's.
"There's even been individuals who have instructed her that they do not even know Jayden however they go there as nicely and that it helps them with their psychological well being.
"It is the entire group that loves it, not solely simply his associates."
Ms Coyle mentioned her first contact with the Central Highlands Regional Council got here just a few months after Jayden's dying in July final yr.
The memorial had grown too giant and, in an e mail, the council requested the household scale it again, which they did.
The household had a plaque made up for Jayden's memorial, and labored with council to have it made to the best measurement specs.
Council workers then positioned the plaque within the park on the memorial web site.
Ms Coyle mentioned she then obtained one other e mail from the council in September requesting all the pieces however the plaque be taken away.
"They emailed me to say that the plaque is up now and you've got till the tip of the month to take away all the pieces else," she mentioned.
Ms Coyle mentioned she replied to the e-mail, saying she believed her household had come to an settlement with council which might permit them to depart another objects on the memorial web site.
"The council did not reply, and I simply assumed that all the pieces was advantageous. However, on the finish of September, they got here and tore all the pieces down, took all the pieces away with none type of warning," Ms Coyle mentioned.
"We had been all actually upset, it is exhausting sufficient coping with his loss as it's," she mentioned.
"It type of takes you again. It feels such as you're dropping him yet again."
After some time, members of the group started inserting objects on the memorial web site once more and the memorial was now at an identical measurement to earlier than, Ms Coyle mentioned.
Ms Coyle mentioned she received one other e mail from council final month requesting a gathering together with her concerning the memorial.
Fearing council workers would take away all the pieces from the memorial once more, Ms Coyle began an on-line petition final week - calling on the council to permit it to remain - which has since attracted greater than 3700 signatures.
John McDougall, the council's Common Supervisor (Communities) mentioned the additional objects on the memorial posed a security concern.
"In 2021, council organized for a plaque to be positioned in a backyard on the park as a memorial for Jayden. Nevertheless, the memorial has been added to informally and infrequently contains objects which are unsafe, similar to open alcohol and glass.
"The All Talents Park is a spot specifically designed for youngsters with disabilities and their households. Whereas council acknowledges the significance of memorials for misplaced family members, we've got additionally obtained suggestions that many individuals don't really feel snug utilizing this public area any extra.
"Council will proceed to work with the household and the group to discover a honest and respectful decision."
Ms Coyle acknowledged a few of Jayden's associates had, prior to now, gone all the way down to the memorial to have a drink with him and left a bottle there.
Nevertheless, after suggestions from council, Ms Coyle mentioned this was not occurring.
"We did unfold the phrase, the group listened, and that was all stopped again final yr," she mentioned.
Readers looking for help can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or past blue on 1300 22 4636.