Stricter memorial policy

People planning to plant a tree or build a garden as a memorial in the Queenstown Gardens will...
People planning to plant a tree or build a garden as a memorial in the Queenstown Gardens will have stricter criteria to meet under the Queenstown Lakes District Council's new draft plaques, memorials and monuments policy. Photo supplied.
People hoping to be the subject of memorials or plaques in the Queenstown Gardens will have stricter criteria to meet under the Queenstown Lakes District Council's new draft plaques, memorials and monuments policy.

Community services parks officer Cara Doyle said the policy set out a process for the council and the community to follow when plaques, memorials and monuments were proposed.

"It will prevent ad hoc, prolific, inappropriate or widely varying placement of plaques, memorials and monuments at public sites in the Queenstown Lakes district," she said.

The draft policy says the Queenstown Gardens and Monument Hill in Arrowtown are full and no new memorials will be accepted unless by special dispensation.

This excludes applications for memorial plaques on seats on the garden's circumference trail.

There are 28 plaques in the Queenstown Gardens, including personal memorials and commemorative plaques.

Any proposal for a plaque or memorial considered an artistic work would be referred to the Aspiring Art and Culture Trust for approval.

Ms Doyle said the policy had divided plaques and memorials into four categories.

Subjects for plaques and memorials in categories 1, 2 and 4 will be limited to individuals or associations that have contributed significantly to the district or are strongly linked to the council and its history.

Subjects for category 3, personalised memorial plaques on a seat, bench or picnic table, will be considered by the Queenstown Lakes District Council on a case-by-case basis. Subjects will be limited to individuals who have lived in, or have a special association with, the district.

The council is seeking comments on the draft policy until August 27.


New categories for plaques, memorials or monuments

> Category 1: Commemorative Trees with Plaques
Reserved for commemoration of dignitaries, civic and historic occasions. Commemorative trees, native or exotic, must be consistent with the council's District Tree Policy.

> Category 2: Metal Plaques
To signify or commemorate an historic or civic occasion, or to provide interpretive material relevant to a nearby building, artwork or historic feature or site. Will not be permitted as private memorials for individuals or families.

> Category 3: Personalised Memorial Plaques on seats, benches or picnic tables
For groups or individuals, to be attached to a park seat or bench. The location of the seat or bench is at the discretion of the Parks Manager.

> Category 4: Ornamental Feature, Fountain, or Sculptural Memorials
Council is open to discussion of unique and substantial memorials. A written proposal which outlines the desired outcome and budget should be made to the Community Services Committee. The committee will then consider proposals on a case-by-case basis.


 

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