Fairfield, Australia -- Fairfield Council staff have argued against a request to erect a 2.1 metre black metal security fence around the Assyrian Monument at Bonnyrigg Park. The monument was officially opened on August 7 and was recently targeted by vandals who spray-painted offensive slogans on and around it. That attack prompted an application from the Assyrian Universal Alliance for fencing but a report to the council's services committee recommended against that option. "A fence has previously been excluded from the planning of this monument in order to (conform with) legislative requirements . . . and community representations," it said. "The land on which the monument is sited is bound by the Local Government Act and is deemed as community land. As such, [the] council is required to ensure that it 'minimises perceived public alienation of public land'. "A fence excluding public access to the entire site could be perceived as alienation." The report said although the recent vandal attack prompted the application for fencing, "this issue had been identified as a risk throughout the approval process for the construction of the monument".