The self-proclaimed ‘Freedom Hotel’ of Singleton is back in the news, protesting Council’s notice of tough action if its owners do not remove an unauthorised and potentially offensive flag from the roof.
A letter from Council dated 29 August spoke of Notice of Intention to issue a “Development Control Demolition Order” after continued inaction by the owners of the pub.
Coincidentally arriving on National Flag Day, 3 September, commemorating the anniversary of the first raising of the new Australian flag, in 1901, Council outlined its power to seek civil or summary criminal proceedings under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.
Offences carry a maximum penalty of $500k, plus $5k per day for every day the offence continues.
Council has received complaints from the public about the Hotel’s roof, and a spokesperson has confirmed the authority is encouraging the owners to engage with them “to resolve the matter”.
It has previously stated the owners should have put in a development application, but concede it probably would not have been approved.
Brad Hill has owned the pub, known locally as ‘The Cali’, for over 20 years. He and the establishment drew national attention during the COVID lockdowns for a stance against the restrictions and vaccinations, reputedly due to Hill’s own phobias around needles.
Health authorities forcibly shut the pub, which was flaunting vaccination requirements, and issued Hill, employees and patrons around $25k in fines.
The Caledonian is on the Singleton heritage register, and while the Notice implies intention to demolish, it is suggested the threat relates only to the flag on the roof.
Hill told the Newcastle Herald he installed it “because I thought it would look good” while potentially giving his true motives away by also suggesting Council only intended on “demolishing the sign”.
As opposed to the accepted Australian flag, the Union Jack and Southern Cross configuration on a red background is the official Ensign flag typically used by maritime services.
However, as reported by Crikey, it became a common sight during the anti-vaccine, anti-government protests around COVID-19, as a symbol of the cross-pollination of ideas through the so-called freedom movements. This group also used tactics such as pseudo-legal proclamations or letters, and Hill issued several such proclamations around the vaccines, alluding to claimed constitutional rights.
In 2021 RSL Australia (Returned & Services League) condemned the inappropriate use of the red ensign, suggesting it was a “dishonour to Australian service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation”.
The ongoing state of The Cali’s roof may soon be out of the hands of the Hills, whether by the will of Council or due to the fact the long-term owners listed the property in May.
Really, the Council of Singleton have a lot more issues than dealing with an Australian Red Ensign Flag. The Caledonian needs to be let run it’s own race but instead we have Council wasting ratepayers money pursuing a “nothing” matter.