AFTER losing their son in a tragic car crash in Brisbane earlier this year, a Redlands family want to remember him with a tribute bench in Cleveland.
Tyler Bouwhuis, 20 was in his second year of studying justice at Queensland University of Technology and wanted to become a police officer when tragedy struck.
His aunt Melissa Huestis described him as a loving and caring young man who enjoyed spending time with his family.
Now, three months on, the family would like to have a tribute bench for Tyler erected at the end of Paxton Street in Cleveland overlooking the water.
"The Bouwhuis' friends raised money using a Go Fund Me page to pay for a tribute bench in the Redlands. An application has been made to Redland City Council to place the bench at the end of Paxton Street," Ms Huestis said.
The grieving family have asked for support from Redland City Council who have however suggested an alternate spot for the bench.
The reason the Bouwhuis family chose this site for the bench is a sentimental one.
"Tyler's only sibling, Dylan, is a young person living with autism. A few months before Tyler's death, the brothers drove from their Ormiston house to the end of Paxton Street and sat on a tribute bench that was already there," Ms Huestis said.
"They sat there and had their first adult to adult conversation where Tyler explained to Dylan the dangers of drugs. Tyler was an advocate of men's mental health and Dylan described this as a strong bonding moment."
Redland City Council have offered the Bouwhuis family a place in Harold Walter Park to place the bench.
"The location requested by the Bouwhuis family at the end of Paxton Street, was determined as not suitable, with an existing seat with a tribute already at this location, and being within a road reserve," a council spokesperson said.
She said the existing tribute seat had resulted from a historical decision.
"Council offered the Bouwhuis family a nearby location.The alternative spot is approximately 25 metres away, with a similar view and outlook," she said.
Ms Huestis said the council's site for the bench was not where the brothers bonding occurred and Dylan found this solution unacceptable.
"It's hard enough that Dylan lives with autism, but that his one wish to remember his brother who is no longer here to be a support for him, is being denied.
"There is clearly room for a second tribute bench at the end of Paxton Street. The bench that is there is often already occupied, showing that people enjoy this spot. The view is uninterrupted and breathtakingly beautiful," Ms Huestis said.
The Bouwhuis family, council officers and Cr Peter Mitchell will meet this week to work towards a mutually acceptable solution.
