The cleaning of a Katherine statue tarnished with graffiti has begun following confusion over ownership and how best to carry out the work.
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Mere weeks ago, the Sabu Sing statue of a stockman and his horse on Katherine Terrace was in a desperate state covered with graffiti.
A Katherine icon, the statue is dedicated to the men and women of the outback, and was built as part of the The Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association project for 2002 - Australia's Year of the Outback.
But it was gifted to Katherine Town Council at the time, passing over responsibility to take on maintenance - causing a moment of confusion.
While the council has conceded ownership and cleaned the plinth, the statue remains untouched.
Costs of cleaning have to be taken into account by the stretched council.
And the NTCA has asked for the statue to be cleaned in a way that will not mar the bronze, which is designed to age over time.
"We can confirm discussions have occurred regarding cleaning of the statue," NTCA chief executive officer Ashley Manicaros said.
"The statue was gifted to Katherine Town Council in the early 2000's, and the cleaning has reportedly taken place."
He said the council has also agreed to maintain cleaning into the future.
A KTC spokesperson has confirmed the cleaning of the base.
But said the bronze "has not been touched... because we need to make sure the cleaning products will not damage the stature, we are finding out the options to clean bronze and the cost."
The statue is of Sabu Peter Sing, who died in 1993.
A member of the Wardaman tribe and a skilled bushman, horseman and stockman, as it says on the plaque, he "represents our courageous pioneers and all who faithfully follow the trails they blazed."
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