Why Sydney Still Has No Memorial for Queen Elizabeth II

Nearly four years ago, Australian leaders made a big promise. They said they would build a public square in Sydney to honour Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022 at age 96. The square was to be called Queen Elizabeth II Place and would include a statue of the long-serving British monarch. But today, the site sits empty behind fences, and the project has no funding to move forward.

The plan was announced just days after Queen Elizabeth II passed away. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet stood together on Macquarie Street and promised to build the memorial square. Albanese called it a 'visionary project' and an 'appropriate and fitting tribute.' Perrottet said the plaza would be 'forever known as Queen Elizabeth II Place' — a place for people to remember the Queen's service.

In 2023, older additions to a historic building on Macquarie Street were knocked down to make room for the new plaza. The site sits next to Hyde Park Barracks and connects to the Domain parklands. There was even talk that King Charles III might officially open the memorial when he visited Australia in 2024. Instead, the space is still unfinished, and no construction has begun.

The main problem is money. The NSW state government says it never set aside any funds for the project. NSW Lands and Property Minister Steve Kamper said the previous state government did not budget for it. He said the current Labor government is focused on paying for things people truly need, like schools, hospitals, and roads.

The state government has asked the federal government for money to at least start the design and planning. This request was made through a national program that gives up to $50 million to help improve urban areas. A spokesperson for the federal Infrastructure Minister said the application was still being reviewed. A decision was expected within a few months, but no money had been approved yet.

Liberal politicians are frustrated by the delays. Liberal MP Tim James said there is 'no priority, no focus, no money' from the Labor state government to get the project done. Liberal MLC Rachel Merton accused Labor of 'betrayal' for quietly shelving the tribute. She said: 'You can't mislead the public.'

Not everyone agrees the memorial should be the top priority, though. Labor councillor Yvonne Weldon, a Wiradjuri woman, said she had 'great respect and admiration' for the late Queen, but pointed out that about 25 statues in Sydney already celebrate colonial figures. She said there is not a 'single publicly funded statue' honouring a First Nations person, calling this imbalance 'unacceptable.' The City of Sydney council agreed that more balance was needed in how public spaces recognise different histories.

A sculpture of an Aboriginal woman by artist Alison Page has been commissioned for a space at One Circular Quay. The state government is also continuing its long-term plan to turn the Macquarie Street area into an arts and culture district. A $27 million plan to upgrade the State Library of NSW forecourt is in the works. But the Queen Elizabeth II memorial remains on hold.