Northern Beaches Council wants to cut back on number of memorial benches on beaches, headlands

Families could soon find it harder to have a bench, with a plaque attached in memory of a loved one, at a beach or on a headland, if a proposed new policy by a Sydney council is adopted.

A public bench, with a memorial plaque for a deceased person attached, on Marine Pde, overlooking Manly Beach. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

It will be harder to secure a bench, with a plaque attached in memory of a loved one, at a beach or on a headland if a proposed new Northern Beaches Council policy is adopted.

Instead, the council would urge people to remember a family member or friend by planting a tree, without the plaque.

There are already more than 700 memorials — the vast majority being memorial seats — scattered across public spaces on council-owned land on the northern beaches.

And each year the council receives more than 70 requests for memorial seats with plaques naming loved ones, mostly for scenic spots on cliff top reserves and coastal locations.

Most of the places are now considered to be at capacity for benches.

A seat, with a memorial plaque attached, at Guganagina Lookout, Balgowlah Heights, facing east towards North Harbour and Manly, Cove. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

To help manage the issue, and consolidate existing public memorial policies that were adopted by the previous Manly, Warringah and Pittwater councils, a draft Memorials and Naming Honours Policy has been released for public comment.

The council is also seeking feedback, as part of the draft, on new rules for naming public places such as parks, playing fields and roads.

A seat, with a memorial plaque attached, on Marine Pde, the path between Manly and Shelly beaches. If the new policy was adopted, people would be encouraged to plant a tree in a public reserve in memory of loved ones.

As part of the proposed memorial management plan, the installation of a memorial bench would only be considered in a spot where there was an identified need for a public seat.

Memorials would not be considered where a death by suicide had occurred, or was considered a high suicide risk location.

The council said it wanted to accommodate memorials in “meaningful, respectful, and discreet ways” without unreasonably affecting the community’s access and enjoyment of public spaces.

Mayor Sue Heins said the council recognised the sensitive nature of memorials and the importance of providing places for reflection, healing, and connection.

“Given the communities strong connection with the environment, council would like to encourage the planting of a tree as a memorial rather than installing plaques, signs and structures,” she said.

A seat, with a memorial plaque attached, at Goroka Reserve, Beacon Hill, with a northeast view towards Manly and North Head. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

“This policy is about finding a balance between honouring our loved ones and maintaining the natural beauty and accessibility of our public spaces.

“Memorial Seats will still be available in locations that aren’t already at capacity and need more seats such as sports fields and other parks.”

But independent councillor Vincent De Luca criticised the draft plan at a recent meeting and described it as doing a “disservice to our community”.

A seat, with a memorial plaque attached, looking towards Shelly Beach at Manly. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

A seat, with a memorial plaque attached, at Freshwater Beach. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

“To downgrade it to a tree and not have a plaque, does not make sense,” Cr De Luca told the meeting.

“I do not think it is a reasonable submission that we are running out of real estate.”

Greens councillor Ethan Hrnjak backed the policy to encourage tree planting because it fitted with the council’s climate change policies.

Current approved memorials would not be affected by the new plan.