As parks are areas set aside to conserve natural and cultural landscapes and native plants and animals, we encourage alternatives to permanent monuments and plaques. Alternatives include memorial donations, events and tree plantings.
Policy
- Memorials may be allowed, subject to this policy, to recognise connections between the community and parks and commemorate past events or deceased people.
- Memorials will be sympathetic with the cultural landscape and have minimal impact on natural values and visual amenity.
- 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.
- Events and donations to the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust will be encouraged as an alternative to monuments and plaques.
- Aboriginal connection to Country is considered when assessing the appropriateness of a memorial. Aboriginal communities will be consulted about how Aboriginal cultural heritage is publicly presented at a memorial site.
- The diversity of cultures in New South Wales is considered when assessing memorial proposals.
- Approval is required for the installation of memorials and will generally only be considered 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 paragraphs 18–22 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 paragraphs 18–22 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 or was from the local area).
- Approval 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
- As part of determining the suitability of proposed memorials, NPWS may consult the Aboriginal community as well as key stakeholders with an interest in the event or person proposed to be commemorated.
- Sectors of the community known to have a cultural connection to a park should also be consulted if a proposed memorial is likely to impact their use of or connection to the park.
- Further details on consultation required for monuments and commemorative plaques are provided in paragraphs 18–19 of this policy.
Maintenance
- 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).
- The maintenance of a built or installed memorial by persons connected to the person or event may be allowed with prior approval, if it does not interfere with other park users or adversely impact natural or cultural heritage values (paragraph 25 of this policy addresses the maintenance of memorial trees).
Applications for memorials
- An application to create a memorial or hold a memorial event must be submitted in writing to the relevant NPWS area office (refer to the Events, functions and venues policy for further guidance on events).
- The application must describe the proposed memorial and detail the significance of the person's connection to the park or the event.
- Application processing times will be dependent on the level of assessment and consultation required.
- NPWS will provide a written response to the applicant that explains the decision.
Monuments and commemorative plaques
- Depending on the specific monument or plaque proposal, advice may be sought from one or more relevant advisory bodies (see the Definitions section of this policy) to assist in determining the level of significance of the connection between the person and the park, or the event.
- Expert advice may also be sought (for example, from heritage consultants).
- Monuments and plaque proposals require an appropriate level of planning and environmental assessment. Specific consideration of visual impacts, cultural history, landscape values and ongoing maintenance requirements should be undertaken to inform appropriate design and location.
- Construction and installation of monuments and plaques may require approvals under the Heritage Act and other legislation.
- At a minimum, Branch Director approval is required for monuments and plaques.
Planting trees
- A tree planted as a memorial will not be identified at the site (that is, no signs or plaques will be installed).
- The tree must be of local provenance.
- Once the tree is established, its health will depend on the prevailing natural conditions. NPWS will not provide ongoing maintenance.
- Branch Director approval is required for a memorial tree planting.
Grave markers
- Erecting a grave marker requires an appropriate level of environmental assessment and may need approvals under the Heritage Act and other legislation.
- Approval 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.
- Grave markers must be culturally appropriate, including being sympathetic in form and materials with other markers on the site.
- Branch Director approval is required for a grave marker.
Policy adopted January 2013
Policy last updated July 2025
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 when working with Boards of Management on Part 4A lands.
This policy does not apply to burials. Guidance on the re-burial of Aboriginal remains can be obtained from Heritage NSW.
Objectives
This policy aims to ensure:
- memorials in parks are consistent with the NPW Act
- applications for memorials take into account the natural and cultural values of parks
- Aboriginal connection to Country is recognised when considering the appropriateness of a memorial.
Definitions
Advisory body may include (but is not limited to) the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council, regional advisory committees, the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee (ACHAC), and the NSW Heritage Council.
Park means a reserve gazetted under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act), including a national park, nature reserve, historic site, Aboriginal area, state conservation area, karst conservation reserve, regional park or any land acquired by the Minister under Part 11 of the Act.
Local significance means significance to the local area and community. 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. Guidance on criteria for local significance is provided by Heritage NSW.
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.
National significance means significance to the people of Australia. Guidance on criteria for national significance is provided by the Australian Government guidelines for the assessment of places for the National Heritage List.
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 state significance is provided by Heritage NSW.
Accountabilities
This section outlines NPWS staff with significant responsibilities for ensuring implementation of the policy.
Positions with significant responsibilities
| Paragraph | Position accountable |
|---|---|
| 13. Approving the maintenance of a memorial | Director |
| 22. Approving the installation of a monument or plaque | Director |
| 26. Approving a tree planting | Director |
| 30. Approving a grave marker | Director |