Memorials in parks policy

Memorials mark places, events and people of significance. You need written consent from a park manager to install a memorial or plaque.

Three Sisters Giant Stairway officially opened October 1932 commemorative plaque Blue Mountains National ParkAs parks are areas set aside to conserve natural and cultural landscapes and native plants and animals, we encourage alternatives to permanent monuments and plaques. Such alternatives include memorial donations, events and tree plantings.

Policy

  1. Memorials will be allowed, subject to this policy, to recognise connections between the community and parks and commemorate past events or deceased people.
  2. Memorials will be sympathetic with the cultural landscape and have minimal impact on natural values and visual amenity.
  3. The type of memorial, its location, setting and design will reflect the significance of the connection between the person, community or event being commemorated and the park.
  4. Events and donations to the National Parks and Wildlife Foundation will be encouraged as an alternative to monuments and plaques.
  5. Aboriginal connection to Country must be recognised when considering the appropriateness of a memorial. Aboriginal communities must be consulted about how Aboriginal cultural heritage is publicly presented at the site.
  6. The diversity of cultures in New South Wales must be taken into account when considering proposals for memorials.
  1. Consent is required for the installation of memorials and will generally only be granted for the following:
    • a permanent built monument to mark a connection between a person and a park, or an event, that is of national significance (see paragraph 18 of this policy)
    • a commemorative plaque to mark a connection between a person and a park, or an event, that is of national, state or NSW National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) significance (see paragraph 22 of this policy)
    • naming a place or infrastructure to mark a connection between a person and a park that is of national, state, NPWS or local significance (refer to the Park Names Policy)
    • a grave marker in a pre-existing burial ground
    • a tree of local provenance planted to mark a connection between a person and a park that is of family or personal significance (for example, if the person has died in the park).
  2. Consent will not be granted for the following:
    • a memorial to mark a living person
    • a commemorative plaque to mark the death of a visitor
    • a temporary shrine, other than for the duration of an event
    • a permanent memorial to a person or event already commemorated in a park.

Consultation

  1. To determine the suitability of memorials proposed under paragraph 7 of this policy, NPWS should consult the Aboriginal community as well as key stakeholders with an interest in the event or person proposed to be commemorated (refer to the Aboriginal Community Engagement Framework [internal document available to staff]).
  2. Sectors of the community known to have a cultural connection to a park should be consulted if a proposed memorial is likely to impact on their use of or connection to the park.
  3. Further detail on the types of consultation required for monuments and commemorative plaques is given in paragraphs 18 and 22 of this policy.

Maintenance

  1. NPWS will manage memorials that have heritage value and those listed on the State Heritage Register in accordance with the minimum maintenance standards set under the Heritage Act 1977 (Heritage Act).
  2. The maintenance of a memorial (excluding memorial trees: see paragraph 28 of this policy) by persons connected to the person or event will be allowed with prior approval if it does not interfere with other park users or adversely impact natural or cultural heritage values.

Applications for memorials

  1. An application to create a memorial or hold a memorial event must be submitted to the relevant NPWS local office in writing. (Refer to the Events, Functions and Venues Policy for further guidance that applies to events.)
  2. The application must describe the proposed memorial and detail the significance of the person's connection to the park or the event.
  3. Application processing times will be dependent on the level of assessment and consultation required.
  4. NPWS will provide a written response to the applicant which explains the decision.

Monuments

  1. The National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council, the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee (ACHAC), and the NSW Heritage Council should be consulted as to whether the connection between the person and the park, or the event, is of national significance.
  2. The visual impacts and maintenance requirements of the monument as well as the cultural history and aesthetics of the landscape should be considered when deciding on an appropriate design and location.
  3. The construction of a monument requires an appropriate level of environmental assessment by the proponent (internal review of environmental factors guidelines document available to staff) and may also need approvals under the Heritage Act.
  4. The Branch Director is responsible for approving the construction of a monument. Statutory approvals may also be required.

Commemorative plaques

  1. An NPWS representative, on behalf of the proponent, will consult the regional advisory committee, the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee (ACHAC), and the NSW Heritage Council as to whether the connection between the person and the park, or the event, is of national or state significance.
  2. The visual impacts and maintenance requirements of the plaque should be considered when deciding on an appropriate design and location. Plaques should be as unobtrusive as possible.
  3. The installation of a plaque may need approvals under the Heritage Act if it is placed on a structure listed on the State Heritage Register.
  4. The Branch Director is responsible for approving the installation of a commemorative plaque. Statutory approvals may also be required.

Planting trees

  1. A tree planted as a memorial will not be identified at the site.
  2. The tree must be of local provenance.
  3. Once the tree is established, its health will depend on the prevailing natural conditions. NPWS will not provide ongoing maintenance.
  4. The Branch Director is responsible for approving a tree planting.

Grave markers

  1. Erecting a grave marker requires an appropriate level of environmental assessment by the proponent (internal review of environmental factors guidelines document available to staff) and may also need approvals under the Heritage Act.
  2. Consent to install a grave marker will only be granted where an applicant can demonstrate that either:
    • they have a strong personal connection with the person or people buried at the site
    • the grave has cultural or historical significance.
  3. Grave markers must be culturally appropriate, including being sympathetic in form and materials with other markers on the site.
  4. The Branch Director is responsible for approving a grave marker. Statutory approvals may also be required.

Policy adopted January 2013
Policy last updated September 2021

Scope and application

This policy applies to all lands acquired or reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act) except for lands reserved under Part 4A of the Act (unless the Board of Management for those lands has adopted the policy). However, NPWS staff can use the policy as guidance in their dealings with Boards of Management.

Note that this policy does not provide guidance on burials. Guidance on the re-burial of Aboriginal remains can be obtained from Heritage NSW.

Definitions

Memorial means anything intended to mark the memory of a deceased person or past event. It includes, but is not limited to, permanent monuments, plaques, planted trees, temporary shrines, the naming of places and infrastructure, and donations. It also includes memorial events such as services and gatherings.

Guidance on criteria for local and state significance is provided by the NSW Heritage Manual, which defines local significance as significance within the local-government area. In other words, this is where the person's or event's connection to a park contributed to the individuality, landscape or character of an area and is an irreplaceable part of its heritage.

State significance means significance to the people of New South Wales. In other words, this is where the person's or event's connection to a park is of special interest to the state in its widest sense and forms an irreplaceable part of the heritage of New South Wales.

Guidance on criteria for national significance is provided by the Australian Government guidelines for the assessment of places for the National Heritage list.

Accountabilities

This section outlines NPWS staff with significant responsibilities for ensuring implementation of the policy.

Paragraph Position accountable
13. Approving the maintenance of a memorial Director
21. Approving the construction of a monument Director
25. Approving the installation of a commemorative plaque Director
29. Approving a tree planting Director
33. Approving a grave marker Director