Memorials Policy for Land Managed by the ACT Government

• Executive Summary
• Why we need a Memorials Policy
• Scope of the Memorials Policy
• General Guidelines
• Suburban Themes
• Applying for a Memorial
• Placement of Memorials
• Assessment Criteria
• Memorials of Territory-wide Significance
• Approval of Memorials
• Maintenance of Memorials
• Re-evaluation of Memorials
• Legal liability of Memorials
• Review of this Policy
• References
• Attachment A
• Attachment D
• Attachment E
  

Originally prepared by Canberra Urban Parks and Places (Policy & Planning Unit) in March 2005

Used by Parks, Conservation and Lands in the Department of Territory and Municipal Services.

Executive Summary

Canberra's urban open space, forests and conservation reserves provide opportunities to celebrate the people and events that have contributed significantly to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) community through placement of a memorial. This Memorials Policy provides guidelines for placement and maintenance of memorials on public land managed by the ACT Government. Subject for memorials is limited to a person, group, organisation or event that has contributed significantly to the Canberra community, not currently memorialised. Memorials commemorating the death of private individuals (including domestic pets and animals) are not permitted on ACT public land. Applications for memorials must be able to demonstrate community support and be aesthetically complimentary to their proposed surroundings. Wording on memorials containing plaques must meet specific wording criteria outlined by the relevant land manager. All memorials must outline their significance to the Canberra community by satisfying at least one of the following criteria:

The Memorial:

• has cultural significance for Canberra such as 'aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations'
• closely reflects the evolving values and aspirations of the Canberra community by recognising their achievements and contributions to the ACT;
• enhances a Canberran's sense of place and increases their understanding of cultural diversity; or
• exemplifies Canberra's unique heritage.

Memorials can include fountains, statues, sculptures, plaques, murals, public artworks and plants. They can be placed in locations consistent with the subject of the memorial, the relevant suburban theme and the plans of management applying to the nominated area. Memorials in forests, nature reserves and national park managed by Parks, Conservation and Lands are not common but will be considered in some circumstances.

Proponents for a memorial will be responsible for all costs, and planning and design requirements associated with their construction and placement. Government restrictions may apply to non-plant memorials and may require a Development Application under the Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991. Applications for plant memorials must be accompanied by an Application for the Use of Unleased Territory Land form.

Memorials of Territory-wide significance are primarily the responsibility of the Chief Minister's Department. Memorials of Territory-wide significance proposed for Designated Areas within the City Region are subject to the National Memorials Ordinance 1928 and the Guidelines for Commemorative Works in the National Capital (National Capital Authority, August 2002), and must be approved by the National Capital Authority.

Written applications for all memorials should be sent to:

The Director
Parks, Conservation and Lands
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601.

Proposals for memorials will be assessed by the relevant government agency, in consultation with appropriate areas of ACT Government, including:

• ACT Place Names Committee;
• ACT Public Art Program Manager;·
• Heritage Unit; and
• ACT Planning and Land Authority.

Non-plant memorials will be maintained by the proponent to current access and safety standards. The proponent will require public liability insurance of up to $20,000,000 ($20 million) to cover the construction period for a memorial. The ACT Government accepts no responsibility for damages caused to non-plant memorials.

Plant memorials will become the property of the ACT Government and will be maintained by the land manager with responsibility for the area.

Memorials will be re-evaluated by the ACT Government after ten (10) years to determine their enduring commemorative value. The Government does not guarantee to retain memorials after a period of ten years, however it will consider applications for extensions of time.

This Memorials Policy will be reviewed in 2007 to evaluate its effectiveness and relevance.

Why we need a Memorials Policy

1.1 Memorials provide a celebration of people and events that have contributed significantly to the history and development of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). They publicly acknowledge important contributions of individuals, groups, organisations or events through memorials such as fountains, statues, sculptures, plaques, murals, public artworks and plants on public land in the ACT.

Parks, Conservation and Lands manages Canberra's urban open space, primarily for recreation. These parks and open spaces provide opportunities for placement of appropriately designed memorials.

Parks, Conservation and Lands also forests and conservation reserves; land that also provides opportunities for memorials.

1.4 Memorials should closely reflect the values of the Canberra community. Community values include tolerance, cultural diversity, social justice for all citizens, humour, openness, the desire to 'have a go', democratic principles (including freedom of speech and assembly), social responsibility, civic awareness and respect for the rule of law.

1.5 This policy provides guidelines for placement and maintenance of memorials on public land managed by ACT Government.

Scope of the Memorials Policy

2.1 This Memorials Policy applies to all memorials on ACT public land managed by Parks, Conservation and Lands.

2.2 This policy replaces all previous policies, guidelines or approval processes relating to installing and maintaining memorials in the ACT. Existence of a memorial is not a precedent for future approvals. Where specific policy direction on memorials is included in plans of management from the previous units ACT Forests, Environment ACT or Canberra Urban Parks and Places, they will take precedence.

2.3 Memorials regarded as being of national significance will be referred to the National Capital Authority (NCA) for approval. This Policy for ACT Government managed land is complementary to and consistent with the Guidelines for Commemorative Works in the National Capital (August 2002) prepared by the NCA.

2.4 The Memorials Policy does not apply to memorials in cemeteries, crematoria or burial grounds, or to explanatory plaques associated with public assets such as public artwork and foundation stones of new buildings.

General Guidelines

3.1 The land management agency, Parks, Conservation and Lands will consider proposals for memorials subject to the following guidelines.

3.2 Subjects for memorials will be limited to a person, group, organisation or event that has contributed significantly to the Canberra community. Memorials for natural disasters within the ACT will be considered.

3.3 No new memorial will be considered for a person, group, organisation or event already memorialised in the ACT.

3.4 Memorials commemorating the death of private individuals and domestic pets and animals, are not allowed on public land, except in public cemeteries and crematoria.

3.5 Memorials must convey the cultural or geographic significance to the Canberra community of the person, group, organisation or event being commemorated, and should be aesthetically complementary to their proposed surroundings.

3.6 Wording on memorials must be approved by the relevant land manager prior to construction. Text should be brief and avoid use of jargon or acronyms. Text should be well researched from a wide range of authoritative sources and be verified by a qualified historian. Acknowledgement of artists that have been engaged in the design and construction of the project is to be included on the memorial in accordance with moral rights obligations under the Copyright Act 1996.

3.7 Proponents should nominate one, and if possible two, preferred sites that have relevance to the person, group, organisation or event being commemorated for placement of the memorial.

3.8 Plaques may only be attached to publicly owned built assets with Ministerial approval, and must not to be attached to a living object, such as a tree.

3.9 The proponent is responsible for all costs associated with obtaining information on easements and planning regulations that will restrict the placement of the memorial.

3.10 The creation and maintenance of non-plant memorials is to be funded by the proponent. No exemptions to this clause will be granted. Where the ACT Government is the proponent, the costs of creation and maintenance of memorials will be government funded.

3.11 Memorials must comply with all current access and safety standards in the ACT and should be modified to comply with any changes to these standards as they occur. Plaques should be positioned flush with surrounding surfaces and not interfere with normal maintenance of a site. The cost of safety modifications will be met by the proponent.

Guidelines Specific to Urban Parks and Other Urban Open Space

3.12 Trees, shrubs and other flora may be planted in urban parks as memorials to individuals, groups, organisations or events. Plaques may be allowed to accompany these plantings

3.13 Flora used as memorials should complement the existing landscape design and plant species. Plants must be selected in consultation with Parks, Conservation and Lands.

3.14 Plants are to be purchased by the proponent, with planting done either by, or under the supervision of, a Parks, Conservation and Lands horticultural contractor.

3.15 Memorial plantings in urban parks will become the property of the ACT Government and will be maintained by the land manager.

Guidelines Specific to Conservation and Wilderness Areas

3.16 Memorial plantings in Conservation and Wilderness Areas may be permitted, with the approval of the Conservator for Flora and Fauna, if the plantings are of appropriate species and of local provenance.

Suburban Themes

4.1 Most suburbs, divisions and public places have been allocated a theme by the ACT Place Names Committee. These gazetted themes are listed at Attachment A. Proponents should consider these themes in requesting a suitable location for their memorial.

The names of suburbs, divisions and public places are recommended under the ACT's Public Place Names Act 1989 according to the following criteria:

• the names of people who have made notable contributions to the existence of Australia as a nation;
• the names of people famous in Australian exploration, pioneering, colonisation, administration, sport, the arts, community service, politics, education and science or research;
• the names of Australian flora and fauna;
• the names of things characteristic of Australia or Australians; and
• the vocabulary of the Aboriginal people of Australia, particularly in the region.

Applying for a Memorial

5.1 Applications for all memorials must be accompanied by the following information:

• type of memorial;
• size and dimensions of memorial;
• proposed location of memorial giving reference to the suburb and division themes listed at Attachment A;
• the text and diagrams for any plaque or engraving;
• a brief description of the significance to the Canberra community of the person, group, organisation or event to be commemorated; and
• demonstrated community support.

5.2 Government restrictions on size, design and placement may apply to non-plant memorials. Some memorials may require a Development Application under the Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991.

5.3 Applications for a plant memorial must be accompanied by an Application for the Use of Unleased Territory Land form, available from Canberra Connect Shopfronts, the City Rangers at 2 Elimatta Street, Reid ACT 2608 or by calling telephone (02) 6207 7132.

5.4 Written applications for all memorials should be sent to:

The Director
Parks, Conservation and Lands
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601.

Placement of Memorials

In Urban Parks and Other Urban Open Space

6.1 There is an open space hierarchy for Canberra's urban parks. Status within the hierarchy may determine the type of memorial appropriate for that park. The open space hierarchy is defined and mapped in the regional Plans of Management for urban open space and sportsgrounds. Copies of Plans of Management may be obtained by calling Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

6.2 Memorials in Town Parks may include a statue, plaque in pavement or wall, artwork or appropriate flora (see Attachment D). Memorials in District Parks, Neighbourhood Parks and other urban open space may include park structures such as a shelter, a tree or other plantings.

6.3 Memorials may be placed in open space other than parks, including shopping precincts. Approval by the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services is required for memorials in Town Centres, Town Parks and Major Shopping Centre precincts (see list at Attachment D).

In Forests

6.4 Memorials in forests are not common but will be considered, if consistent with the guidelines outlined in this policy.

6.5 Memorials in forests are approved by the Director of Parks, Conservation and Lands.

In Nature Conservation Reserves such as Wilderness, National Park, Nature Reserves and Special Purpose Reserves

6.6 Memorials in conservation areas will be considered consistent with policies within a plan of management. Where such policies for memorials do not exist within a plan of management, this Memorials Policy will apply.

6.7 Memorial plantings in Conservation and Wilderness Areas require permission from the Conservator of Flora and Fauna. Plantings will only be considered if appropriate species of local provenance are proposed.

Assessment Criteria

7.1 Proposals for memorials will be assessed for their significance to the Canberra community and the demonstrated level of community support. They must also meet at least one of the following criteria:

7.2 Memorials that have cultural significance for Canberra as defined in The Revised Burra Charter 1999 as 'aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations' of Canberra people.

7.3 Memorials that closely reflect the evolving values and aspirations of the Canberra community by recognising their achievements and contributions to the ACT. This may include individual or group representation in national or international competitions, ideas, innovations or events. It may also include an individual or organisation strongly linked to the ACT and its history.

7.4 Memorials that enhance Canberran's sense of place and increase their understanding of cultural diversity. This may include significant contributions to the cultural, political or social aspects of Canberra's development.

7.5 Memorials that exemplify Canberra's unique heritage. This may include historical or other information relevant to the location of the commemorative work, or a significant anniversary of an event unique to Canberra's history and development, and the region's Indigenous heritage.

7.6 The site proposed for the memorial must be consistent with the suburb and division themes listed in Attachment A. Where the nominated location for the proposed memorial is inconsistent with the designated suburban theme, the proponent may be asked to consider another suburb that has a theme more appropriate for that memorial.

7.7 Endorsement of a memorial according to the assessment criteria by the relevant land manager is an in-principle agreement. Final approval will be subject to an assessment of the concept design, structural form and the proponent's capacity to deliver the project. Section 9.1 identifies key bodies that must be consulted before final approval. The final siting and design of the memorial will be subject to the relevant statutory approvals and is contingent on funding availability. Design, construction and installation costs remain the responsibility of the proponent.

Memorials of Territory-wide Significance

8.1 Memorials of Territory-wide significance are primarily the responsibility of the Chief Minister's Department. In developing such memorials, CMD will consult with relevant government agencies.

8.2 The Chief Minister has final approval of Territory-wide memorials.

Memorials in City Region

8.3 Memorials of Territory-wide significance proposed for Designated Areas within the City Region are subject to the National Memorials Ordinance 1928 and the Guidelines for Commemorative Works in the National Capital (National Capital Authority, August 2002), and must be approved by the National Capital Authority.

Approval of Memorials

General Information

9.1 Proposals for memorials will be assessed by the relevant government agency, in consultation with appropriate areas of ACT Government, including:

• · ACT Place Names Committee;
• · ACT Public Art Program Manager;
• · Heritage Unit; and
• · ACT Planning and Land Authority.

9.2 Decisions will be confirmed in writing to the proponent.

9.3 No application will be considered outside this process.

Territory-wide

9.4 The Chief Minister is responsible for final approval of memorials of Territory wide significance.

In Designated Areas

9.5 Memorials to be built in Designated Areas require approval from the National Capital Authority, which will determine the detailed conditions of planning, design and development, and works.

In Urban Parks and Open Space

9.6 Proposals for memorials in urban open space that are not of Territory-wide significance will be assessed by Parks, Conservation and Lands.

9.7 The Minister for Territory and Municipal Services has final approval for memorials in Town Centres, Town Parks and Major Shopping Centre precincts (see Attachment D). The Director of Parks, Conservation and Lands has the final decision for memorials in District and Neighbourhood Parks and other open space areas.

9.8 Approval for a particular site will only be granted if it is consistent with the relevant plan of management, master plan or strategic development framework for that site. The number of existing memorials, plaques, artworks, fountains and other objects in the vicinity of the proposed new memorial will be a consideration.

In ACT Forests

9.9 The Director of Parks, Conservation and Lands is responsible for approving memorials on land in forests.

Maintenance of Memorials

MAINTENANCE OF NON-PLANT MEMORIALS           

10.1     The memorial shall be located at the designated site for a period of not less than ten (10) years from the time of installation except where: 

            1.         the area in which the item is sited is to be redeveloped; 

            2.         use of the area in which the item is sited changes significantly in character and the item is not deemed suitable for the site; or 

            3.         the structure or support on which the item is located is to be removed or permanently altered. 

10.2     Memorials will be maintained to a level agreed between the proponent and the relevant land manager.  Proponents will be accountable for the costs and maintenance of memorials. 

10.3     The ACT Government reserves the right to remove any memorial which is either not maintained to the agreed level, interferes with normal maintenance, or is deemed as a safety or health risk.  Costs will be borne by the proponent. 

10.4     The ACT Government reserves the right to remove or relocate a memorial within the ten (10) year period after consultation with the proponent. 

10.5     The land manager will consider requests to replace existing memorials that have been damaged or otherwise degraded.  Replacements shall conform to current design specifications and guidelines. 

10.6     The land managers will each maintain a register of memorials on public land under their management.  A list of currently known memorials is at Attachment B. 

MAINTENANCE OF PLANT MEMORIALS 

10.7     Memorial plantings will become the property of the ACT Government and as such will be maintained by the land manager responsible for the area. 

10.8     Where plants pose a health or safety risk, are disruptive to built assets, or are detrimental to the health of surrounding plants, the Government may remove the plants.  The Government will strive to contact the supplier of the plants to arrange for replacement plants to be planted in a more suitable site. 

Re-evaluation of Memorials After 10 Years

11.1     Memorials will be re-evaluated by the ACT Government after ten (10) years to determine their enduring commemorative value and ongoing maintenance.  The Government does not guarantee to retain the plaque or memorial after a period of ten years. 

Legal Liability for Memorials          

12.1     The proponent will require public liability insurance of up to $20,000,000 ($20 million) to cover the construction period for the memorial.  It is recommended that the proponent seek advice from the ACT Insurance Authority regarding the level of public liability insurance necessary.  After the construction period for such a memorial ceases, the ACT Government will accept the ongoing cost of providing public liability insurance for the memorial. 

12.2     The ACT Government accepts no responsibility for damages caused to non plant memorials. 

12.3     Since plant memorials become the property of the ACT Government after planting, the ACT Government accepts the same responsibility for damages caused to or by memorial plants as they do for all plants on Territory land.           

Review of this Policy 

13.1     This Memorials Policy and related procedures will be reviewed in 2007 to evaluate its effectiveness and continuing relevance. 

References

ACT Department of Urban Services. 2003. ACT Planning Guidelines for Access and Mobility. Edition 1. Revision 0.            

ACT Department of Urban Services. 2003. Design Standards for Urban Infrastructure Works Edition 1. Revision 0.           

ACT Department of Urban Services, Canberra Urban Parks and Places. 2001  Outdoor Cafes in Public Places Policy.           

ACT Department of Urban Services. 2001. Civic Access Study.           

ACT Department of Urban Services, Planning and Land Management. 2001. Building Our City – A Strategy to Improve the Public Realm of Civic – Canberra’s Central Business District.           

ACT Government. 1998. Belconnen’s Urban Parks, Sportsgrounds and Lake Ginninderra Plan of Management. November 1998.           

ACT Government. 2001. Canberra’s Urban Lakes and Ponds Plan of Management. November 2001.           

ACT Government 2000. Inner Canberra’s Urban Parks and Sportsgrounds Plan of Management. November 2000.           

ACT Government. 2000. Tuggeranong’s Urban Parks and Sportsgrounds Plan of Management. November 2000.           

ACT Government. 1998. Woden and Weston Creek’s Urban Parks and Sportsgrounds Plan of Management. November 2000.           

Durr, M. (1993).  Fountains, memorials and works of art on ACT Land, or within the responsibility of ACT Government. 58 pp.           

Environment ACT, Department of Urban Services. 1997. ACT Weeds Strategy: a 10 year strategy for implementing a co-ordinated program for controlling weeds in the ACT.           

National Capital Authority (NCA). 2002. Guidelines for Commemorative Works in the National Capital.  August 2002.           

The Australian ICOMOS Charter for the conservation of places of cultural significance (The Revised Burra Charter).  November 1999. 

Attachment A – Suburb Themes 

Suburb             Place names theme      

Acton               No theme

Ainslie              Pioneers, legislation

Amaroo            Australian rivers and lakes

Aranda             Names of Aboriginal tribal units

Banks               Botanists, things botanical or relating to natural history

Barton              Governors

Belconnen         Lord Mayors

Bonner             Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and communities

Bonython          Famous South Australians, particularly journalists, and South Australian districts

Braddon           Aboriginal words, legislators and pioneers

Bruce               Australian tertiary education

Calwell             Victorian politicians

Campbell          Defence personnel

Casey               Diplomats and public servants

Chapman          Film industry

Charnwood       New South Wales pioneers

Chifley              Scientists and educators

Chisholm           Notable women

City                  Aboriginal words, pioneers and capital cities

Conder             Art - Members of Heidelberg School; towns associated with the Heidelberg School; directors, trustees of state and national galleries, patrons and other benefactors and other artists

Cook               Notable women

Crace               Parishes and land divisions

Curtin               State premiers

Deakin             Governors and Governor-Generals and diplomats

Dickson            No theme

Downer            No theme

Duffy                Dams and reservoirs

Dunlop             Inventors and inventions; artists

Evatt                Legal profession

Fadden             Queensland politicians

Farrer               Agriculturalists

Fisher               Mines and mining towns

Florey              Scientists

Flynn                Flying Doctor Service and Inland Mission

Forrest             Governors and explorers

Franklin            Writers, with particular emphasis on women writers

Fraser              Early ACT residents

Fyshwick          Industrial towns

Garran              Writers

Gilmore             Journalists, particularly women

Giralang            Astronomers and Aboriginal words for stars

Gordon             Sports men and sports women

Gowrie             Armed services personnel

Greenway         Architects

Griffith              Explorers

Gungahlin Town Centre                        Early Gungahlin district pioneers, homesteads and sites

Hackett             Mainly scientists

Hall                  N/a

Harrison           Natural features such as waterfalls, plains, tablelands and plateaux

Hawker            Northern Territory  pastoral stations

Higgins             Judges

Holder              Surveyors

Holt                  Sportsmen and sportswomen

Hughes             Contemporaries of W. Hughes and war service personnel

Hume               Industrialists

Isaacs               Educationalists

Isabella Plains   New South Wales parish names

Jacka               Valour and community service

Kaleen             Australian rivers

Kambah           Interstate pioneers

Kenny              Nurses and nursing administrators

Kingston          Explorers

Kinlyside          Australian country towns

Latham             Judges

Lyneham          Mainly artists and early founders of Canberra

Lyons               Tasmanian towns

Macarthur        Names associated with the wool industry

Macgregor       Medical names

Macquarie        Contemporaries of Governor Macquarie

McKellar          Journalists

Mawson           Antarctic explorers

Melba              Musicians

Mitchell            Industrialists

Monash            Engineers

Moncrieff          Musicians and those associated with the field of music

Mulanggari        Notable Aboriginal women and Aboriginal words

Narrabundah     Indigenous names, explorers

Ngunnawal        Notable Aborigines and Aboriginal words

Nicholls             Sportsmen and sportswomen

Oaks Estate      N/a

O’Connor         Flora

O’Malley          Aboriginal tribes

Oxley               Social reformers

Page                 Scientists

Palmerston        Mountains

Parkes              No theme

Pearce              Contemporaries of Sir George Pearce

Phillip               Names associated with the First, Second and Third Fleets

Pialligo             Aboriginal words

Red Hill            Ships and explorers

Reid                 Aboriginal words

Richardson       Notable women, particularly writers

Rivett               Western Australian wildflowers

Russell              Armed Service personnel

Scullin              Aviators

Spence             Trade Unionists

Stirling              Western Australian pioneers

Phillip (Swinger Hill)                 Architects

Symonston       Industrialists and other business people

Taylor              Architects, town planners and urban designers

Tharwa             N/a

Theodore         Civilian war effort during WW1 and WW2

Torrens            Contemporaries of Sir Robert Torrens; South Australian pioneers and politicians

Tuggeranong    No theme

Turner              Mainly writers

Wanniassa       Victorian state politicians

Waramanga     Aboriginal tribes

Watson            Judges

Weetangera      ACT pioneers

Weston             Artists

Yarralumla        Governors and botanists 

Attachment D –List for Ministerial Approval

Town Centres 

            Woden

            Tuggeranong

            Belconnen

            Gungahlin

 

Town Parks 

            Glebe Park

            City Hill

            Woden Town Park

            Tuggeranong Town Park

            Margaret Timpson Town Park

           

Major Shopping Centres 

            Manuka

            Kingston

            Braddon

            Dickson

            Griffith

            O’Connor

            Yarralumla

Attachment E – Definitions

The following definitions apply to this Policy: 

City Region 

The boundary of the City Region is mapped in Attachment C.  The City Region corresponds with Canberra Urban Parks and Places’ contract area for provision of horticultural and cleaning services, and with the City Division boundary defined by the ACT Planning and Land Authority. 

Designated Area 

Areas of land defined in the National Capital Plan and the Territory Plan having special characteristics of the National Capital.  Within Designated Areas the National Capital Authority has responsibility for determining the detailed conditions of planning, design and development, and for works approval. 

Memorial 

An object established in memory of a person, group, organisation or an event.  A memorial object may be a sculptural or other artistic work, statue, fountain, plaque, mural, park structure, or horticultural features such as individual trees/plantings. 

Plaque 

A flat tablet of metal, stone or other appropriate material, which includes text and/or images which commemorate a person, organisation or an event and/or provide historical text or information relevant to its location.  Such a tablet is to be affixed to an object, building or pavement. 

Private memorial    

A memorial established in recognition of a person’s life or death or an organisation or event that may not be of significance to the whole Canberra community.  Private memorials are not allowed on public land. 

Proponent

The person, group or organisation applying for construction of a memorial.  The proponent may be representing a Government or non-government organisation. 

Town Park

Town Parks are formal parks managed to a high standard typically with irrigated and mown lawns of grass, paving, sculpture, shrub or flower beds, adjacent to and serving the main town centres.  Town Parks are described and mapped in statutory Plans of Management prepared under Part V of the Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991. 

District Park

District Parks are extensive informal parks, mainly mown grassland ranging in size from 4-10 ha serving 25,000 to 50,000 people providing a diversity of recreation opportunities including picnicking, barbecues, swimming, adventure playgrounds and skateboarding.  District Parks are described and mapped in statutory Plans of Management prepared under Part V of the Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991. 

Neighbourhood Park

Neighbourhood Parks are small parks 0.25 to 2ha in area typically with playgrounds for parents and young children located within 400 metres of residential areas.  Neighbourhood Parks are described and mapped in statutory Plans of Management prepared under Part V of the Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991. 

Wilderness Area

A Wilderness Area is an area of public land set aside to protect natural and cultural values and to provide for limited numbers of people access for solitude and remote recreational experiences.  Management intervention including the erection of signs and memorials are generally not appropriate in wilderness areas except under very special circumstances. 

National Park and Nature Reserves 

National Park and Nature Reserves are areas of public land set aside for conservation purposes.  They are managed to protect natural and cultural values and to provide opportunities for recreation and education. 

Under the Nature Conservation Act 1980 permission must be granted by the Conservator to erect a building, booth, stall, post, sign or other structure and to plant flora in a wilderness area, national park or nature reserve. 

Public Land 

For the purposes of this policy, public land includes unleased Territory land.
 

Special Purpose Reserves 

Special Purpose Reserves are areas of public land set aside for public use for recreation and education purposes.  Permission to construct or install a memorial or for memorial plantings should be sought from the Director of Parks, Conservation and Lands.