Should the Road to Anzac Cove Be Widened to Improve Access

'Should the road to ANZAC Cove be widened to improve access'

The widening of the road to ANZAC Cove was necessary, however the way in which it was done does not reflect the true ANZAC spirit, the reason for which the road was widened. ANZAC Cove is the resting place for many thousands of diggers and by many, thought to be the birth place of the ANZAC Sprit, where the ideals of mateship, respect and integrity were forged. It is by the virtue of these factors that have lead to the ANZAC cove being the victim of the thousands of tourists making the pilgrimage to pay their respects and embrace the ANZAC Spirit, resulting in the road being widened to accommodate the ANZAC Day surge.

'They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.'

Over the past several years, the Australian government has been praising the journey made by Australians every year to ANZAC cover, in order to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. However it appears that this same government is not fulfilling its role to protect the site which its is encouraging these people to attend. The road is required to be widened to allow this influx of tourist into the site. By widening the road, we not only ease the congestion of busloads of backpacker trying to get in, we also minimise the numbers who choose to trek in by foot, often over undesignated paths, damaging and eroding the delicate sand dunes and environment. As such, by widening the road, we are improving the access, so that more Australians can experience the ANZAC services at ANZAC Cove.

'Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.'

However in widening the road, there are several factors that should have been taken into consideration. It is said that some sections of the road have been widened to a far greater extent that required, some section in excess of ten metres. This extent of excavation not only left the pristine landscape of Galipoli permanently scared, however also lead to the disturbance of those very diggers unmarked graves, that the patriots journey to Galipoli to pay their respects to. Unfortunately it appears that the line above does not reflect the current sad reality of what has occurred.

If we are making this pilgrimage to ANZAC Cover to pay our respects to our grandfathers who paid the