A permanent memorial to the victims, hostages, police and emergency workers involved in the deadly Sydney siege will be constructed in Martin Place, the NSW government says.
Hostages Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson died along with gunman Man Haron Monis when police stormed the Lindt cafe in central Sydney on December 16, ending the hostage crisis that shocked Australia.
Soon after, members of the public began placing bunches of flowers and letters of remembrance at a makeshift memorial in Martin Place, just metres from where the siege took place.
It soon turned into a blanket of thousands of flowers that covered Martin Place.
On Sunday, NSW Premier Mike Baird said the construction of a permanent memorial would be another step in recovering from the siege.
He said it would be unveiled in the second half of 2015.
"The outpouring of grief that was symbolised by a sea of flowers in Martin Place, and that moved hearts around the world, was the beginning of our recovery process," Mr Baird said in a statement.
"The unveiling of a permanent memorial, on or before the first anniversary of the siege, will be another significant step in that process, and will guarantee that the memory of Tori and Katrina lives forever in the heart of Sydney.
"We will never forget Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson, or the suffering that their loss inflicted on their loved ones."
He said an official committee would ensure the Dawson and Johnson families, surviving hostages and other major stakeholders were consulted on the memorial's design.
The announcement comes in the wake of Fairfax Media reports that Ms Dawson, 38, was struck by a police bullet when officers shot it out with Monis during the fiery conclusion to the hostage crisis.
The police investigation into the incident reportedly reveals Ms Dawson was struck by police fire that was not a direct shot and possibly a ricochet, when Tactical Operations Unit officers stormed the cafe.
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