Wagga's Sharna McTavish was not prepared to hear that her partner had been killed in a tragic car crash, but she says a roadside memorial has become a special place for her family to visit and process their grief.
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Her comments come in response to Wagga City Council's call for feedback on its proposed restrictions for roadside tributes.
For the first time, council is developing a formal policy that could soon require families to notify the council with a proposal explaining the memorial type, materials, location, an installation date and safety considerations for visitors.
Any breach could see the memorial removed or relocated.
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The proposed new rules, however, would not apply to the Olympic, Hume or Sturt highways and existing tributes within the city.
Ms McTavish's memorial in memory of her partner Steve Schreiber, 30, who was killed in a car crash at Forest Hill in June, is one of the tributes that would not be affected by the strict rules, if approved.
However, she firmly believes the council needs to abandon its proposed policy for roadside memorials and allow families to mourn on their own terms.
She said these tributes are full of meaningful and a "special place" for families to visit when they are missing a loved one.
In her case, Mr Schreiber's memorial displays a cross, which was made by his friends, a deer skull, his favourite hat and a stubby holder made by his daughters Aleeya and Ashlyn.
"[The cross] says 'rest in peace Stickers' because he had tattoos and all the kids thought he always had stickers on his arms and that's how he got his nickname. There's a deer skull because he was a keen hunter and a stubby holder that says 'the best dad in the world' which the girls made," she said.
"For us, [the memorial] is different to where he is buried because that was where ... he last was and it is special to go down there. My girls love ... putting flowers up, clearing the grass and taking care of it."
Ms McTavish said memorials are not only important for the families, but are a "good warning" for drivers to slow down.
The council's draft policy is designed to allow the placement of tributes while ensuring they do not pose a risk to drivers.
"I have never heard of anyone having an accident by being distracted by a memorial," Ms McTavish said.
"It makes them realise that this is where someone passed away and it can happen so quickly."
The issue prompted discussion on The Daily Advertiser's Facebook page, with many expressing the view that the council could focus on other ways to improve road safety as memorials serve as a reminder to motorists of the dangers inherent in driving.
The council has invited the community to lodge submissions until November 26.