Port Fairy resident John Mullany believes any support of a proposal to relocate one of the town's war memorials is a waste of time.
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"It's a lost cause, a frivolous attempt," he said of the RSL's push to move the Princes Highway War Memorial to Railway Place.
"This same issue was raised in 1998 and there was a lot of public disquiet then.
"There was a petition with 600 signatures and under heritage restrictions the memorial can't be moved."
Mr Mullany was part of the Friends of Port Fairy group which successfully lobbied Moyne Shire Council to refuse the RSL's push to move the monument 21 years ago.
On that occasion, council referred to the planned move as inconsistent with the intent of the Burra Charter, an internationally accepted set of guidelines regarding heritage sites.
Mr Mullany said the memorial fell under the Burra Charter as it met a number of criteria, including its social value.
This social value is described as a place that has become a spiritual, political, national or other cultural sentiment to a majority or minority group.
The Burra Charter says a building or work should remain in its historical location and moving it is unacceptable unless this is the sole means of ensuring its survival.
The Princes Highway war memorial is on the state government's Victorian Database of significant places.
The Port Fairy RSL last month announced its wish to move the memorial, which was dedicated in 1929 and honours those from the town who served in World War I and II, from the highway to Railway Place.
This would place it alongside the town's other war memorial, which honours those who served from World War II and onwards.
Moyne Shire mayor Mick Wolfe said the RSL had approached council about the move and recommended the proposed move go out to the public to put forward submissions.
Submissions must be lodged to the RSL by October 18.
Mr Mullany said public submissions supporting the proposed move would not have an impact.
"It doesn't really matter how many people want the move," he said.
"Moyne Shire still have to follow what is legal as far as heritage aspects of the memorial goes."