Several councillors have stepped forward encouraging open and robust conversation about how the community can work together to make this happen.

Mayor Peta Pinson responded to leaders of the Birpai community who have launched a petition for the removal of the Sir Edmund Barton statue.

Petition organisers say the statue is considered a homage to the atrocities against Aboriginal people as the result of colonisation and the enduring ideologies that perpetuate racism in today's society.

It is also positioned on a traditional burial site, acknowledged as a sacred place where Birpai people lived more than 1800 years ago.

Skeletal remains and occupation materials were unearthed on site during an upgrade in 1995. This was significant to the local Birpai community.

Petition organiser Arlene Mehan said now is the time for genuine conversation about the region's past and who we want to be as a community moving forward.

Cr Pinson said while she did not support the removal of the statue, she acknowledged there are many shameful stories that have shaped Australia's history.

Ms Mehan said a collective artwork installation that represents multiculturalism, reconciliation or a coming together could be a better option for the site.

She said the statue could be moved to a space and accompanied by an appropriate dialogue that explains the truth about the country's cultural past.

READ MORE: "It's offensive" - petition for removal of Barton statue launched

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann said there could be more informative dialogue accompanying the statue in its current location to better educate the public about the importance of the site and the region's cultural history.

"Yes, Edmund Barton was instrumental in forging our Australian Federation in 1901. But he wasn't an angel and shouldn't be idolised," Cr Intemann said.

"He was deeply racist and excluded Aboriginals from the federal right to vote and government assistance, which these days would be inexcusable. If the statue stays, then it should be amended to state that bigger truth."

Cr Intemann said without that acknowledgement, and the impacts of colonisation on First Nations peoples, "we're lying to ourselves".

"Regarding Town Green, we need discussions with the Local Aboriginal Land Council to see how best to visually represent their lives here for the thousands of years before Europeans arrived," she said.

"I imagine it will be beautiful, and tremendously enrich our experience of an historic space. Just one small step towards better appreciation and understanding of each other."

Cr Peter Alley said respectful conversations will be important in achieving this.

"We need to be informed by the culture, the history, the archaeological evidence and we need to have this conversation with the Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Council, the Birpai community and with the wider community," he said.

"I have asked the general manager to provide a briefing to councillors on the Barton statue and I hope that we will be able to use this to start a conversation about the statue and more importantly about better recognition of our indigenous heritage.

"These conversations need to be continuous, as in all relationships, as we explore how best we live together in a community that values our environment and the diversity of our heritage and culture."

Cr Rob Turner said council has a recently-adopted public art policy, and should be able to provide some guidance on this matter moving forward.

"In my eight years as a councillor, this is the first time I've been made aware of any issues around the location of the Edmund Barton statue. However, this submission was very considered and respectful, and like all other submissions to council, needs to be given proper consideration," he said.

"As chair of council's Cultural Steering Group, I'm very mindful of the stories we share about our place, and the image we project to ourselves and to the outside world.

"In Port Macquarie, we've often focused on the very short and turbulent part of our history from colonial times that features John Oxley, Lachlan Macquarie, some wretched convicts, and now Edmund Barton. We need to do a much better job of telling the indigenous stories that have evolved here over 60,000 years that are unique to our place, and give it meaning."

In 2021, council will celebrate the bicentenary of colonial settlement in Port Macquarie and have named the milestone 200 Together.

"The eyes of the world will be upon us as we take this opportunity to celebrate the many great things about where we live," Cr Turner said.

"It's also the perfect time to share the stories and learn from our history, so that everyone in our community can begin the next chapter of 200 years with equal pride."

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council commissioned the sculpture of Australia's first Prime Minister from renowned artist Carl Merten in recognition of Barton and his role in "forging the nation" as part of the centenary of Federation celebrations. It was dedicated in December 2001.

The project was supported by the Federal Government through the Federation Fund and community sponsorship.

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