Memorials and Monuments in Public Open Space Policy

Public open spaces are very important community resources with a wide range of social, environmental and economic values that benefit the whole community.

We recognise that memorials and monuments in public open spaces are important to the community as they hold meaning and reflect social, historical and / or cultural significance.

Proposals for memorials and monuments must be carefully reviewed and assessed to protect the value of public open spaces to the broader community.

Council, at its meeting on 12 December 2023 voted to rescind the current Memorials and Monuments on Council Open Space Policy and endorse the new draft Memorials and Monuments in Public Open Space Policy.

Have your say

Please review the draft policy and have your say during the public exhibition period, from Friday 16 February to Friday 22 March 2024.

The proposed amendments include:

• a change to the name of the Policy to Memorials and Monuments in Public Open Space.
• more clarity around the objectives of the Policy to ensure that the amenity of open space is protected and not compromised.
• updating the section on definitions to provide clarity between memorials, monuments and non-fixed memorials and monuments.
• providing more detail around the assessment criteria particularly for Monuments.
• the Approval Process proposes a separate Development Application Process from the General Application to Council.
• more detail around management and maintenance costs. An application for a Monument requires a Memorandum of Understanding between the Applicant and Council.
• changes to the Policy to assist Council Officers and the Councillors in making informed decisions around the design, associated costs and ongoing maintenance and management of Memorials and Monuments.

Following the public exhibition, a final report containing the feedback received, will be presented to Council.