Memorials & Plaques

Soutar Park open area with shady trees playground and pathway

At the City of Unley, we recognise the community's desire to commemorate individuals or events of significance, while balancing the broader public interest in preserving functional and accessible public spaces.

Council will consider applications for a Memorial where:

  • The individual or group being commemorated was a local resident or community group with a significant connection to the community.
  • The person, group, or event made a significant contribution to the social, cultural, or civic life of the City.
  • The proposed Memorial does not duplicate or replicate existing Memorials.
  • The chosen location allows for aesthetic and functional integration and is not within an exclusion zone. Applications in these zones will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • The density of existing Memorials within a 50-metre radius is generally low, typically not exceeding two Memorials. Additionally, certain parks may have a predetermined cap on the total number of Memorials permitted, in accordance with site-specific guidelines or planning considerations.

 

Application Process

All applications must:

  • Be submitted through Council’s online form.
  • Include comprehensive details about the individual, group or event and justification for significance.
  • Include proposed wording for Plaques.

All applications will be assessed by the Memorial Panel with discretion to refer it to Council for a decision if needed. Decisions will be guided by this Policy and relevant legislation and approval is not guaranteed.

 

Cost and Financial Responsibility

All costs associated with the design, manufacture and installation of a Memorial are the responsibility of the Applicant. This includes:

  • Purchase of approved furniture or infrastructure.
  • Design and engraving.
  • Labour and installation.
  • Maintenance outside Council’s routine works such as replacement of a Plaque that has been damaged or lost because of theft or vandalism.

Council reserves the right to set fees or cost-recovery charges annually and provide this information on its website. 

 

Memorial and Monument Lifespan and Decommissioning

  • All Memorials will have a standard lifespan of 10 years.
  • At the end of this period, Council will assess the Memorial’s condition.
  • If it is beyond repair, Council will attempt to contact the Applicant. Options include:

- Renewal at the Applicant’s cost,

- Return of the original Memorial (if possible),

- Destruction after two years if unclaimed.

  • Council retains discretion to remove deteriorated or unsafe Memorials at any time. 

 

Temporary Memorials

The City of Unley recognises that members of the community may wish to mark the location of an incident with the placement of a temporary Memorial (e.g. roadside vigil).

Given the spontaneous nature of this type of Memorial, Council permission is not required before the placement of objects. However, a family or group representative should notify Council as soon as possible of the installation of the temporary Memorial.

Temporary Memorials may remain in place for a maximum of six weeks, after which they must be removed. Specifically:

  • They must not create a safety hazard or obstruct access.
  • They must not damage public infrastructure or vegetation.
  • Flashing lights, sound, and permanent fixtures are prohibited.
  • Council reserves the right to remove non-compliant or expired temporary Memorials.

 

Spreading of Ashes

The City of Unley recognises that members of the community may wish to spread the ashes of a loved one in a public open space that had significant meaning. In these situations, the following will be taken into consideration:

  • In accordance with By-Law 3, Local Government Land, Council will consider requests to scatter ashes of deceased persons or animals on local government land on a case-by-case basis.
  • Where approval is granted, the ashes are to be distributed at a time and in a manner which does not create a nuisance or disruption to other users or the operation and functional use of the site.
  • Ashes are not permitted to be scattered on the centre square, goal square or cricket pitch of an oval.
  • No Memorial object is permitted at the site where the ashes have been scattered unless approved by Council.
  • The burial or interment of human remains is prohibited except in a cemetery as defined by the Burial and Cremation Act 2013.

 

 

For full details, please read our Memorials-Policy. The Policy provides further guidance on the approval, placement, maintenance, and removal of memorials.

Apply for a Memorial

 

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