Losing someone on our roads is deeply tragic and many families and friends find comfort in placing a small memorial at the site. Find out how roadside memorials are managed, where they can be placed and how to contact the City to discuss a memorial for your loved one.
About roadside memorials
A roadside memorial is an object or symbol placed within a road reserve to honour a family member or friend who has lost their life at that location.
Many people find that placing a memorial helps with grieving and creates a meaningful connection to the place where their loved one passed. These memorials can also offer a gentle reminder to road users about safety.
Under the City’s Roadside Memorials Policy, roadside memorials can only be approved for accident sites where a fatality has occurred. Memorials for animals cannot be approved or supplied.
Where memorials can be placed
Roadside memorials can only be installed on road reserves managed by the City.
Requests for memorials in areas managed by other organisations will be referred to:
- Main Roads WA, for roads they manage
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, for memorials in Yanchep National Park
How the City manages memorials
The City aims to balance compassion for grieving families with the need to maintain safe roads and verges for the whole community. When considering a roadside memorial, the City will:
- Treat all requests with respect and sensitivity
- Approve memorials for a maximum period of five years
- Supply memorials (in line with the City's guidelines)
- Install or assist with installation at a safe, suitable location
- Not take responsibility for the security or maintenance of memorials
- Remove any memorials that do not comply with the Policy or guidelines.
Safety is always a key factor, including avoiding visual distraction to motorists, preventing items from entering the roadway and ensuring pedestrian safety for those visiting the memorial.
Report a problem with a memorial
To report a problem with an existing roadside memorial, such as a safety concern, use Report it.
