Rookwood Cemetery and Necropolis

Item details


Name of item:	Rookwood Cemetery and Necropolis
Other name/s:	Rookwood Necropolis, Haslem's Creek Necropolis, No. 1 Section buildings, relics and place
Type of item:	Landscape
Group/Collection:	Cemeteries and Burial Sites
Category:	Cemetery/Graveyard/Burial Ground
Location:	Lat: -33.8698841402 Long: 151.0513102510
Primary address:	East Street, Lidcombe, NSW 2141
Parish:	Liberty Plains
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Cumberland
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Metropolitan

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
CROWN LAND
LOT	7	DP	46563
LOT	490	DP	48319
LOT	492	DP	48441

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
East Street	Lidcombe	Cumberland	Liberty Plains	Cumberland	Primary Address
Weeroona Road	Lidcombe	Cumberland	Liberty Plains	Cumberland	Alternate Address
Railway Street	Lidcombe	Cumberland	Liberty Plains	Cumberland	Alternate Address
Arthur Street	Lidcombe	Cumberland	Liberty Plains	Cumberland	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Department of Planning and Environment	State Government	07 Apr 99

Statement of significance:


	Summary Statement of Significance: The points are ranked in order of priority: a) Rookwood Necropolis is one of the largest burial grounds in the world and contains the largest 19th century cemetery in Australia; b) the scale of design, design features, use of plants, gardenesque layout, high quality and diversity of structures, monuments and details of Rookwood Necropolis represent a rare surviving example of mid-late 19th century ideals for a major public cemetery. The choices of plants in these sections also demonstrate 19th century funerary etiquette and fashion by way of plant symbolism; c) the views and expertise of a number of prominent individuals are manifest in the historic fabric and design of Rookwood Necropolis; d) the Necropolis memorials form a set of monumental masonry without parallel in Australia. They include examples that are unique in themselves or display a high degree of technical accomplishment, and others which represent changes in social burial customs since 1867; e) as a social document and genealogical resource, Rookwood Necropolis is unique in its scale and comprehensiveness. The Necropolis is the burial place of a large number of noteworthy individuals; f) Rookwood Necropolis is of significance in providing habitats for two rare and endangered plant species: downy wattle (Acacia pubscens)(Status: vulnerable) and the small leaved Dillwynia (D.parvifolia)(Status: vulnerable and uncommon). It also contains an unusual ecotone where a pocket of Sydney sandstone associated vegetation occurs in the midst of predominantly Wianamatta shale associated vegetation. (NSW DPWS, 1988), with additions on plant conservation statii from Fairley, 2004) a more detailed statement of significance is contained within section 4.4.2 of the Plan of Management, NSW DPWS, 1988). Rookwood Necropolis is of heritage significance because: - it is one of the largest burial grounds in the world and contains the largest 19th century cemetery in Australia; - of its scale of design, curvilinear gardenesque layout which is unusual in Australia; - it provides an important haven for birdlife and native fauna; - it contains significant mature plantings of plant species, both native and introduced which are rare and unusual; - of the high quality and diversity of structures, monumental masonry, other works and details of its oldest sections; - of its rarity as a well preserved 19th century major public cemetery; - it represents a surviving example of mid to late 19th century ideals for a major public cemetery; - it is unique as a large, comprehensive and tangible manifestation of the social history of Sydney, documenting the cultural and religious diversity of the Australian community since 1867; - of its research value through its social, genealogical and historical associations with prominent individuals and families (such as architects, Directors of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney and other individuals) recorded in memorials containing significant biographical information; - of the monumental masonry and other types of craftsmanship, including cast and wrought ironwork which are fine examples of craft processes and reflect social attitudes to death and fashions in funerary ornamentation since 1867; - it demonstrates a wide diversity in burial practices and religious beliefs. (National Trust, 1988; Schwager Brooks et al, 1996; as adapted by S. Read, 7/2006). The 280 hectare site is the largest cemetery in Australia and one of the largest in the world. It houses 1,000,000 epitaphs recorded on 600,000 graves and 200,000 crematoria niches. Rookwood Necropolis documents the cultural and religious diversity of the Australian community in the late 19th Century and society's attitudes towards death (Press Release, 5/2006). Rookwood Necropolis is an outstanding item of environmental heritage, as: - it is the largest 19th century cemetery in the world and Australia's largest designed landscape; - it has one of the largest collections of funerary monuments predating World War 1, anywhere in the world; - it demonstrates an extensive range of monumental craftsmanship; - its curvilinear layout and large scale gardenesque design are unusual in the Australian context; - it contains a number of mausolea, chapels and other buildings of architectural and/or symbolic importance; - it is the largest public open space and major landscape element within urban Sydney; - it provides an important haven for birdlife and native fauna; - it contains plant species, both native and introduced which are rare and unusual; - both old and new cemeteries within Rookwood provide an important source for genealogical and social history research; - it is so large that vistas can be found within it that are completely contained within the cemetery landscape, providing an aesthetic retreat for the senses of the viewer. (National Trust of Australia (NSW), 1988)
	Date significance updated: 19 Apr 21
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Charles Moore and Simeon Pearce
Construction years:	1862-
Physical description:	Rookwood Necropolis is the largest cemetery in Australia, the Southern Hemisphere (Jacquet, 2015, 8) and one of the largest in the world, having an area of 288 hectares and approximately 1,000,000 epitaphs recorded on 600,000 graves and 200,000 crematoria niches. It is a multi-denominational cemetery dating from 1867 onwards, with landscaped layout with a focus of a circular hub or roadway. It is a suburb in its own right, perched on ridges 15km west of the Sydney CBD (ibid, 2015, 8). Early Design: The original 200 acre layout is located in the north-western corner of the site. The road pattern radiates from a central hub and two different approaches to design are exemplified. The Wesleyan, Presbyterian, Independent, General and Catholic Cemeteries uses a curvilinear layout whereas the Anglican Cemetery uses a grid layout. The original designers followed a garden design, which was continued in the layout of individual sections. Located in the Church of England No.1 Cemetery is an extensive system of serpentine drains and ponds The open drain is brick-lined and approximately 1800mm deep. Extensive shelters, urns, bridges, fountains, and gardens ornament the serpentine drains. The paths, gardens and carriageways throughout the older sections are formed between finely detailed brick gutters which remain largely intact. The Crematorium: The grounds are dominated by the Spanish Mission style building which is laid out in cruciform pattern to accommodate three separate chapels. The earlier parts of the garden are enclosed by a rendered brick wall with tiles capping that gives it an attractive unified appearance as viewed from the rest of the cemetery. Within the wall, formal gardens are laid out in an axial pattern using brick and stone to negotiate changes of levels. Ponds mark the intersection of the main pathways. The major axes terminate in wrought iron gates which afford attractive views over the rest of the cemetery. Plants and Design: What remains on the site is an accretion of introduced and remnant native plants. Some of the introduced planting dates from the original layout of the cemetery. These include Araucaria pines (A.cunninghamii - hoop pine; A.bidwillii - Bunya pine; A.columnaris - Cook's pine; A.heterophylla - Norfolk Island pine), Magnolia grandiflora - evergreen magnolia / bull bay and Pinus spp. trees and Phoenix (P.canariensis - Canary Island date palms); P.dactylifera - date palm); P.senegalensis - clumping date) palms and Washingtonia robusta (Californian desert fan) palms. These have been planted in an ordered goemetric grid which is transected by gardenesque curvilinear roads in turn bordered by avenue planting. Within this layout are pavilions, fountains and shelters that are important elements in the landscape. The more recent cemetery areas in the south and eastern portions of the site revert to informal arrangements of native trees and shrubs. The cemetery provides a habitat for two rare and endangered plant (shrub) species, Acacia pubescens and Dillwynia parvifolia. It also contains an unusual ecotone where a pocket of Sydney sandstone asssociated vegetation occurs in the midst of predominantly Wianamatta shale associated vegetation. It also supports populations of 19 species of frogs and reptiles and a large number of bird species. (CALM) (National Trust 1988) Archaeological potential: The main features of archaeological significance include: - monumental masonry; - former railway siding and site of Mortuary Station, sites of 3 other Stations; - cast iron section markers on Necropolis Circuit; - drainage channels, roads, bridges, paths; - other buildings, works and sites. (Schwager Brooks et al, 1996). Rookwood Necropolis (1)Anglican Section - update to Plan of Management Survey of vegetation Plant list provided by Stuart Read, 2/2012 NB: no prefix below denotes species listed in Plan of Management vegetation survey ^ prefix denotes incorrectly named plant from Plan of Management survey, renamed * prefix denotes 'new' species not listed in Plan of Management Survey ~ prefix denotes confirmed plants from PoM survey still present in 2/2012 Acacia decurrens, silver wattle * A.elata,cedar wattle A.binervia (syn.A.glaucescens), coastal myall/wattle * Acacia iteaphylla, wattle ^Afrocarpus falcatus, Outeniqua/yellow wood (was Podocarpus falcatus) Agapanthus orientalis, African / Nile lily ~Agathis robusta, Qld. kauri Agave americana, century plant A.americana 'Aureo-Variegata', golden variegated " " A.angustifolia, narrow-leaved agave Aloe arborescens, aloe A.?barbadensis, spotted leaved aloe Angophora floribunda, rough barked apple oak ~Araucaria bidwillii, Bunya Bunya pine ^A.columnaris, Cook's pine (not A,columellaris as POM said) ~A.cunninghamii, hoop pine' ~A.heterophylla, Norfolk Island pine ~Arbutus unedo, Irish/Mediterranean strawberry tree Arundinaria sp., bamboo Atriplex holocarpa, salt bush ^~Bauhinia x variegata, orchid tree (not B.purpurea as POM said) ~Brachychiton acerifolius, Illawarra flame tree ~B.rupestris, Qld. bottle tree, two specimens Buddleja davidii (cream/apricot cv.), butterfly bush cultivar (could be a weed/seedling) Campsis grandiflora, trumpet creeper ~Celtis australis, southern nettle tree/hackberry * C.sinensis, Chinese nettle tree/hackberry Centaurium minus, centaury (weed) Cestrum parquii, green queen-of-the-night (weed) Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant ~Cinnamommum camphora, camphor laurel Clerodendron ugandense, butterfly bush (could be a weed/seedling) Coreopsis tinctoria, tick seed (weed) ^~Corymbia citriodora, lemon-scented gum (was Eucalyptus citriodora) Cotoneaster sp. (large leaved: C.lacteus?), cotoneaster (likely a weed / seedling) * C. sp. (small leaved: C.franchettii?), cotoneaster (likely a weed/ seedling) ^Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans', Japanese cedar cultivar (POM omitted specie) Cupressus sempervirens, Mediterranean cypress / pencil pine Cuscuta sp., dodder (saprophytic vine - native) Dracaena draco, Dragon('s blood) tree Eleagnus pungens, silver berry Eucalyptus botryioides, bangalay Eucalyptus cladocalyx, sugar gum E.fibrosa, broad-leaved red ironbark E.globulus, Victorian/Tasmanian blue gum E.microcorys, tallowwood Eupatorium sp., Crofton weed (weed) Euryops pectinatus, Paris daisy ~Ficus macrophylla, Moreton Bay fig F.rubiginosa, Port Jackson/rusty fig - seedlings Fucraea selloa, Mauritius hemp Gmelina leichhardtii, grey ash ~Grevillea robusta, silky oak Hardenbergia violacea, native sasparilla Ilex cornuta, horned holly Indigofera australis, native pea / wisteria ~Jacaranda mimosifolia, jacaranda Jasminium mesnyi, Himalayan yellow jasmine ~Jubaea chilensis, Chilean wine palm ~Juniperus virginiana, eastern red cedar - 8m x 4m, prickly tips, soft needlesweeping branchlets Kennedya rubicunda, dusky coral pea Kentranthus ruber, kiss-me-quick / valerian ~Lagerstroemia indica cv., crepe myrtle ^Lagunaria patersonia, Norfolk Island hibiscus/white oak/cow itch tree (not -ii)a Lantana camara, lantana (weed) L.montevidensis, creeping lantana (NB: sterile - not a weed) Laurus nobilis, sweet bay/bay laurel Lonicera fragrantissima, winter honeysuckle L.japonica, Japanese honeysuckle (weed) ~Lophostemon confertus, brush box ~Magnolia grandiflora, Southern /evergreen magnolia/bull bay Nephrolepsis cordifolia, ladder fern Olea europaea var.cuspidata, African olive (weed) Pennisetum sp., Abyssinian grass (weed) ~ Phoenix canariensis, Canary Island date palm P.rupicola, cliff date palm ~Pinus radiata, Monterey pine Pittosporum revolutum, yellow pittosporum P.undulatum, sweet pittosporum ^~ Platycladus orientalis, Chinese arbor vitae/thuja (was Thuja orientalis) Podocarpus elatus, Illawarra/brown /plum pine Polyscias sambucifolia, celery wood/elderberry panax Pyracantha sp. (P.angustifolia?), firethorn (weed) Quercus robur, English oak Q.palustris, pin oak Raphiolepis delacouri, Indian hawthorn Robinia pseudoacacia, false acacia/black locust Schefflera actinophylla, umbrella tree Sesbania sp., senna Spiraea cantonensis, may bush ~Stenocarpus sinuatus, fire wheel tree Strelitzia aphylla, leafless bird-of-paradise flower S.reginae, bird-of-paradise flower S.spathulifolia, spoon-leaved bird-of-paradise flower Swainsona galegifolia, pea bush ^Syzygium australe, brush cherry (not Syzigium as POM said) ~Taxodium distichum, swamp cypress (2) Themeda australis, kangaroo grass * Themeda triandra, wallaby grass ~Trachycarpus fortunei, Chinese/Chusan/windmill palm Tsuga sp.hemlock (not seen: I doubt this specoe survives in Sydney - the climate is too hot and dry) ~Ulmus parvifolia, Chinese elm Verbena rigida, vervain' Viburnum odoratissimum, viburnum ~V.tinus, laurustinus Wahlenbergia sp., native bluebell ~Washingtonia robusta, Californian desert fan palm ~Waterhousea floribunda, weeping lily pilly Yucca ?filamentosa, Spanish bayonet/Adam's needle (2) Wesleyan Section - update to Plan of Management Survey of vegetation Additional plant list provided by Stuart Read, 2/2012 Cupressus microcarpa 'Aurea', golden Monterey cypress Grevillea robusta, silky oak Hardenbergia comptoniana, native sasparilla H.violacea, native sasparilla Hypoestes sp., (purple flowered, sage-like plant) Lagerstroemia indica cv., crepe myrtle Mazus reptans, creeping musk (white flowered) Pinus canariensis, Canary Island pine P.palustris, maritime pine P.radiata, Monterey pine Stenocarpus sinuatus, fire wheel tree Wahlenbergia sp., native bluebell (3) Old Wesleyan Section - update to Plan of Management Survey of vegetation Additional plant list provided by Stuart Read, 2/2012 Acacia sp. (?A.mearnsii), black wattle Agave americana 'Aureo-Variegata', variegated century plant Asparagus falcatus, asparagus fern (weed) Chaenomeles japonica cv., Japanese/flowering quince/japonica apple Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant Coreopsis tinctoria, tick seed (weed) Eucalyptus microcorys, tallow wood Hardenbergia violacea, native sasparilla Heliotropum sp., heliotrope (ground cover, weed) Lagerstroemia indica cv., crepe myrtle Lonicera japonica, Japanese honeysuckle (weed) Pinus pinaster, maritime pine Polygala myrtifolia, pea bush (Sth.Africa - weed potential) Raphiolepis delacouri, Indian hawthorn Viburnum odoratissimum, viburnum (4) Presbyterian Section - update to Plan of Management Survey of vegetation Additional plant list provided by Stuart Read, 2/2012 Acacia sp. (?A.mearnsii), black wattle A.longifolia, Sydney wattle Arbutus unedo, Irish/Mediterranean strawberry tree Arundo donax, giant Danubian reed Asparagus falcatus, asparagus fern (weed) Camellia japonica cv., camellia Cinnamommum camphora, camphor laurel Coreopsis tinctoria, tick seed (weed) Cupressus funebris, (Chinese) funeral cypress Eucalyptus microcorys, tallow wood Grevillea robusta, silky oak Indigofera australis, native wisteria Juniperus chinensis, Chinese juniper Kalanchoe tubiflora, mother-of-millions Lantana montevidensis, creeping lantana (sterile - not a weed) Ligustrum ovalifolium, large-leaved privet Lophostemon confertus, brush box Nerium oleander cv., oleander Phoenix canariensis, Canary Island date palm Pinus halepensis, Aleppo pine Pittosporum undulatum, sweet pittosporum Platycladus orientalis, Chinese arbor vitae, thuja Polygala myrtifolia, pea bush (Sth.Africa - weed potential) Raphiolepis delacouri, Indian hawthorn Rhododendron indicum cv., azalea Rosa sp./hybrid/cv., roses (several cv.s) Spiraea cantonensis, may bush Verbena bonariensis, vervain V.rigida, vervain Viburnum tinus, laurustinus Wisteria sinensis, Chinese wisteria these three lists may have nothing new in them - alas I did not have on me the relevant pages from the Plan of Management Vegetation Survey to cross-check survival/add to. Checking against these precincts in that document will show if any of these are 'new' species/not (Stuart Read, pers.comm., 10/4/2012).
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Physical condition - fair. Archaeological Potential - medium
	Date condition updated:12 Jun 15
Modifications and dates:	1862 - Government purchases 200 acres near Haslem's Creek station (later Lidcombe)(in north west of current Necropolis lands). Originally six denominations: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Wesleyan, Presbyterian, Jews and Independent (Schwager Brooks et al, 1996) 1866 - Entire cemetery enclosed, access roads built and denominational subsections cleared. 1864 - branch railway line to cemetery handed over - first record of funeral train 4/1864 1867 - Necropolis first dedicated (Schwager Brooks & Partners, 19..), Necropolis Act and burials commenced, railway line and siding provided, and opens. 7th April 1868 - All land dedicated as cemetery. 1869 Mortuary Station number one opens. 1874-1882 - Serpentine drain constructed in Church of England Section. 1878-9 Necropolis enlarged with purchase of additional 577 acres to accomodate demand for burial plots (Schwager Brooks et al, 1996) 1869 - two sandstone receiving houses (for funeral trains) built, one at Regent St., Redfern, one in the Necropolis 1879 - Government purchases 577 acres of adjoining land. 1890 - St Michael the Archangel Chapel built. 1897 - Railway branch line extended. 1901 - Railway branch line extended with (now) four cemetery stations. 1908 - Railway branch line extended 1923 - Crematorium opens. 1948 - Railway branch line closes - Lidcombe station services Mortuary trains 1952 - Railway line pulled up and stations sold. 1957 - No 1 Mortuary Railway Station removed (to become the North Ainslie Anglican Church, Canberra, ACT) 1980s - construction of Railway Street on the Necropolis and Cemetery's northern side alongside the main western railway. 1990s - new East Street main entrance constructed 5/2006 9 mature maritime pines (Pinus pinaster) removed, Independent Cemetery near Haslem's Drive, West Also 28 matured (1989) she oak (Casuarina sp.) trees removed between southern wall of NSW Garden of Remembrance and AWG Boundary with Section 20 of the Anglican Cemetery (JCNTrustees, meeting 10-01, Executive Manager's Report, 5/7/06).
Further information:	NOTE: The PCO for this item only covers 180 acres of the original Rookwood Necropolis. The No 1 General Cemetary (1 acre) and the undeveloped part nominated as 'General Cemetery' are not covered by a PCO.


Current use:	Cemetery
Former use:	Aboriginal land, farm, cemetery

History

Historical notes:

Prior to European settlement, the traditional owners of the area now occupied by Rookwood were the Wangal people, a Darug language-speaking 'clan' group. The Wangal group original extended from Sydney Cove westerly to Parramatta (POM, 23). Aboriginal occupation of this region dates back well into the Pleistocene period (over 10,000 years ago)(Jacquet, 2015, 27).

The Haslem Creek Cemetery, as Rookwood was originally known, was the result of urban encroachment. By the 1840s, only half a century after the arrival of the First Fleet, Sydney's third cemetery at Devonshire Street (now the site of Central Station and railway yards) was facing the same fate as its predecessors: it was running out of space and suffering from urbanisation. Land values were increasing, and for a young city there were better uses for the space it occupied (POM, 23).

By the mid 1850s the need for a new cemetery was becoming urgent. In response the NSW Government embarked on a great Victorian enterprise - mirrored only 10 years earlier at Brookwood outside London - the search for a large-enough parcel of land to bury Sydney's dead in perpetuity (POM, 23). In 1860 the Government advertised that it wanted to purchase land along the railway for a cemetery. After a number of site inspections the Government had narrowed its choice to two possible sites, the Wentworth's Homebush Estate and the Hyde Park Estate.

On the 18th September 1862 the Government of New South Wales purchased 200 acres of the Hyde Park Estate owned by Mr Edward Cohen. During the same month Surveyor Heady sketched the site for the cemetery. By November 1862 Charles Moore, Director of the Botanical Gardens had begun supervising the fencing of the land. In 1863 the Lands Department invited the major denominations to nominate trustees for portions of the cemetery. The area was divided among the denominations according to their proportion in the population in the 1861 census. Roman Catholic, Church of England, Independent (Congregational), Wesleyan, Presbyterian and Jews were invited to name their trustees. Within the area allocated, preparation of the cemetery grounds was to be at the expense of each denomination. At this time the area was known as Haslem's Creek Necropolis.

In June 1864 Colonial Architect, James Barnet, submitted plans for the construction of a lodge for a manager and this was constructed by mid 1865. In December 1865 the Government surveyor, John Armstrong, surveyed the route for the railway into the cemetery and it was opened in April 1867. Rookwood was unusual internationally in having two specially designed 'necropolis' railway stations to cater for funerals and visitors - one at Sydney (Regent Street), which still survives and one in the cemetery, since dismantled and re-erected as a church in Ainslie, Canberra.

Management of the Haslem's Creek Necropolis was resolved by the passing of the Necropolis Act of 1867, which specified that the internal arrangements and ornamentation of each section of the cemetery were to be managed by the nominated trusts. Burials commenced in January 1867 under the authority of this Act.

David Jones, (b.1793) founder of the well-known department store, died in 1873 and was buried at Rookwood.

Between 1874 and 1882 the serpentine drain was constructed in the Church of England No.1 cemetery.

More ground was soon needed so in July 1879 the government purchased 577 acres of adjoining land to the south and east. The new trust areas were gazetted in February 1889. As a result of the cemetery expansion, the railway was extended in 1897 and again in 1908.

In 1881 bushfire caused extensive damage to property at Rookwood. (Daily Telegraph archive)

By 1890 one of the most impressive buildings was the St Michael the Archangel Chapel built by Sims and Devitt.

A major change to the Necropolis was the introduction of facilities for cremation. After ten years of lobbying against public opposition - not just to a crematorium in Rookwood but to the very idea of creation itself (GML, 2017, 23).

The scale of loss in World War 1 had been attributed as contributing to a decline in the elaborate memorialisation and rituals that had been a feature of Victorian-era cemeteries like Rookwood, while the regimented rows of graves adopted by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for the vast war cemeteries in Europe also promoted a simpler style of graves in civil ceremonies in Australia. In this atmosphere, the NSW Cremation Co., Ltd., formed in 1915, was able to convince the government that as part of amendments to the Necropolis Act in 1923, four acres were set aside at Rookwood for a crematorium. Designed by architect F. l'Anson Bloomfield, the crematorium was to include a Spanish mission or Mediterranean style building, with red-tiled roof and white-rendered walls. The chimney was disguised as a belltower, with chapel, and columbarium inside and an entrance loggia opening into a garden at the rear. It opened in 1925 and was the first crematorium in Australia. Bloomfield had detailed designs for the building and landscaped gardens, which were implemented as money became available. In 1926 the chapel, known as the East Chapel, was completed, devoid of overt religious symbolism so it would be appropriate for all denominations. In the first year of operation there were 122 cremations. By 1929 there were 500. A sale of shares in the company in 1928 and 1929 raised funds to enable completion of much of the design, with the columbarium, furnace room extended (including two new furnaces), and completion of the Garden of Remembrance. Such was its popularity a second chapel was added in 1934, with a special AIF Memorial columbarium unveiled in 1936. This was reserved for returned servicemen of WW2 who had died of wounds or illness since their return (ibid, 2017, 23).

In 1943 a section on the cemetery's western boundary was set aside to serve as a war cemetery, maintained by the Army Graves registration unit. At first graves were marked by simple wodden crosses, but after the war these were replaced with standard marble headstones, representing equality in death of all soldiers that the Imperial War Graves Commission, later the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, had set forth on their establishment in 1918. Rookwood's war cemetery was primarily the resting place for servicemen and women who died at nearby Concord Military hospital from wounds received in combat or from illness. In total 732 burials from WW2 were carried out here. Rookwood was used as temporary cemetery for American service personnel, with 466 buried there during WW2 years. Their remains were removed to America from Rookwood in 1947 (ibid, 2017, 24).

The years after WW2 saw a change in burial practice in Australia away from the elaborate memorialisation of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, with large imposing monuments in the older sections of Rookwood. A new style of low, unpretentious monument became prevalent throughout newer sections. From the 1920s on, these graves, known as 'slab and desk' (with details of the deceased inscribed on a low headstone) allowed long lines of sight over an ordered, uncluttered landscape. From the 1950s, as well as this style of monuments, new lawn cemetery areas were being used at Rookwood, further distancing the new styles from those of the 19th century (ibid, 2017, 25).

With the advent of motor cars and buses the cemetery railway closed in 1948 and the line and station buildings were sold in 1952 (CALM 1993) (National Trust of Australia (NSW), 1988).

New migrant communities began to be buried together, much as denominational groups had from the beginning. Russian and Greek Orthodox, Croatians, Vietnamese and Muslim sections all appeared, reflecting ever-increasing diversity of Sydney's population in the second half of the 20th century. A growing Chinese community expanded the Chinese section away from the small area set aside in the 1870s with small, austere headstones, to larger monuments often in red or black granitie and marble. Many of the recent graves from the 1980s have also appropriated the Italian custom of inserting a photograph of the deceased into the headstone, showing a divergence of cultural practices in the cemetery landscape. The three-barred crosses of the Orthodox faith and extensive garden plantings on Muslim graves also add distinctive character to these sections (ibid, 2017, 26).

In 1987 the entire cemetery was enclosed behind secure fencing for the first time, which led to a drop off in illegal dumping in the grounds. The same year a second Necropolis Amendment Act (1987) saw the formation of a Joint Committee, with representatives of the state government, the National Trust of Australia (NSW), the Heritage Council of NSW, the crematorium and members of the seven trusts to manage the upkeep, maintenance and heritage values of the cemetery. One of their first tasks was commissioning a plan of management for the Necropolis to assess its heritage significance and begin coordinated planning for protection and growth of the site. The growing awareness of the cemetery as a site of heritage value saw it classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW) in 1981. Formal government recognition followed in 1989 with a Permanent Conservation Order gazetted under the NSW Heritage Act by the Heritage Council of NSW, upgraded in 1999 to State Heritage Register listing (ibid, 2017 27-28).

In 1990 a Heritage Council grant of $2800 funded a report on measures needed to protect archival material relating to Rookwood Cemetery (McManus, 1990, 1).

In 1993 the Friends of Rookwood was formed by concerned and interested community members keen to help restore and preserve the Necropolis. They set about raising funds to conserve important monuments, restoring landscape and garden areas and promoting the cemetery to a wider public. By instigating a series of walking tours through the cemetery, the Friends highlighed the site's importance via the social history of its inhabitants and raised the profile of Rookwood as a place to visit and contemplate, as had been the idea behind its earliest incarnation as a gardenesque public landscape (ibid, 2017, 28).

In 1993 the East Street new entry/gates were built and primary road implementation - Necropolis Drive and Cohen Avenue were upgraded with avenue tree plantings. That year the indigenous vegetation of the cemetery was surveyed, and identified as significant (POM, 15).

In 1996 a boundary planting program commenced and the road heirarchy was confirmed - Hawthorne Avenue (part) was upgraded including avenue tree plantings (POM, 15).

In 1998 the Catholic Trust Mausoleum opened. In 1999 the Independent Trust Mausoleum opened and the Flora & Fauna Survey of the cemetery was updated. From 1999-2001 the Serpentine Drain was restored in the No. 1 Anglican cemetery. An interpretive structure was installed at Mortuary Station No. 1, with grant funding. Also in 2001 Memorial Avenue (part) Primary Road was upgraded including avenue tree plantings. In 2002 cemetery identified Vegetation Conservation Areas were ground-truthed - and a Property Management Plan (for vegetation) was adopted. Bush regeneration works continued (POM, 15).

In 2006 the Quong Sin Tong monument was restored. In 2007 part of Necropolis Drive was upgraded including avenue tree plantings. Also that year the Catholic Trust Crematorium started operating. In 2008 the Catholic Trust John Paul 11 Cryp0t on Sheehy Avenue was completed. In 2009 Sheehy Avenue was upgraded. That year the Jewish Trust commenced restoration of No.1 Jewish cemetery areas, Reflections Cafe and flower shop opened near the Strathfield entry gate. In 2010 Lot 10 construction commenced and in 2011 crypts were completed in the Independent Trust area and the Jewish Trust office opened (POM, 15).

The Necropolis' management has also evolved. In 2012 the Rookwood General Cemeteries Reserve Trust (RGCRT) was formed, amalgamating the former Anglican, General, Independent, Jewish and Muslim Trusts into one managmeent unit, with the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (CMCT) managing the Catholic sections and new Catholic crematoria. Between them these two Trusts manage over 90 different religious and cultural groups that use the cemetery grounds (ibid, 2017, 28).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Gardens-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Natural - regenerating native flora valued for conservation purposes-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Introduce cultural planting-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Rare and Significant Flora-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Regional flora and fauna-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	remnant woodland and grasses-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Cultural: Conserving and protecting natural features-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Cultural: Plains and plateaux supporting human activities-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Rare and Significant Trees-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities	Burying convicts-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Scottish settlers-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Greek migrants-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Italian migrants-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Irish migrants-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	French migrants-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Multi-cultural burials-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Maintaining Greek Cypriot communities-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Irish religious practices - Catholicism-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Chinese remembrance customs-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Chinese religious practices-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Jewish religious practises-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Scandinavian memorial practises-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Migration-Activities and processes associated with the resettling of people from one place to another (international, interstate, intrastate) and the impacts of such movements	Cornish migration-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Significant tree(s) providing urban amenity-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Gardens and landscapes reminiscent of an 'old country'-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of contemplation and devotion-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes demonstrating styles in landscape design-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Gardens celebrating multiculturalism-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of remembrance-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	State government-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Open Space Provision-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - providing rail transport-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - parks and open spaces-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - public land administration-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - town and country planning-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - conserving cultural and natural heritage-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - building and operating public infrastructure-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Administering ports and shipping facilities-Includes maladministration.
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Designing and marking grave furnishings and ornamentation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Designing landscapes in an exemplary style-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Gathering at landmark places to socialise-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Visiting places of romantic inspiration-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Enjoying public parks and gardens-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Visiting heritage places-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Activities associated with relaxation and recreation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Practising Judaism-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Practising Islam-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Private Chapel open for community use-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Death-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Cemetery-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Practising Lutherism-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Practising Orthodoxy-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Practising Anglicanism-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Practising Catholicism-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Practising Presbyterianism-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Practising traditional Chinese religious beliefs-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Places of formal community gatherings-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Places of informal community gatherings-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Belonging to an historical society or heritage organisation-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Birth and Death-Activities associated with the initial stages of human life and the bearing of children, and with the final stages of human life and disposal of the dead.	Operating and maintaining cemeteries and burial grounds-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Birth and Death-Activities associated with the initial stages of human life and the bearing of children, and with the final stages of human life and disposal of the dead.	Remembering the deceased-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Birth and Death-Activities associated with the initial stages of human life and the bearing of children, and with the final stages of human life and disposal of the dead.	Burying and remembering notable persons-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Birth and Death-Activities associated with the initial stages of human life and the bearing of children, and with the final stages of human life and disposal of the dead.	Burying the dead in customary ways-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with James Barnet, Colonial (Government) Architect 1862-90-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Charles Moore, Director Botanic Gardens and garden maker, 1848-96-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Simeon Pearce, civil servant and landholder, Anglican Church Trustee-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Edward Cohen, landholder-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with John Claudius Loudon, English writer, horticulturist, educator-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Norman Weekes, surveyor and engineer-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with F. L'Anson Bloomfield, architect-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with David Jones, (1793-1873) founder of Department stores-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Rookwood Necropolis is one of the largest burial grounds in the world and contains the largest 19th century cemetery in Australia. The scale of design, gardenesque layout, high quality and diversity of structures, monuments and details of the oldest sections of Rookwood Necropolis represent a rare surviving example of mid to late 19th century ideals for a major public cemetery. (National Trust 1988)
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	Many of the monuments are of outstanding aesthetic quality. Rookwood is so large that vistas can be found within it that are completely contained within the cemetery landscape, providing an aesthetic retreat for the senses of the viewer. (National Trust 1988)
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	Rookwood Necropolis is a tangible manifestation of the social history of Sydney, documenting the cultural and religious diversity of the Australian community since 1867. Prominent individuals and families are recorded in memorials containing significant biographical information. The progressive layering, development and diversity of styles of memorialisation document the conceptual move away from the 19th century perception of death and dying to the more rationalist view prevailing at the present time. As a social document and genealogical resource Rookwood Necropolis is unique in its scale and comprehensiveness. The Necropolis is the burial place of a large number of noteworthy individuals. (National Trust 1988)
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The monumental masonry and other types of craftsmanship, including cast and wrought ironwork are fine examples of craft processes and reflect social attitudes to death and fashions in funerary ornamentation since 1867. The necropolis provides a habitat for two rare and endangered plant species. (National Trust 1988)
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Review a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Produce an Archaeological Management Plan (AMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Document and prepare an archival record
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act	Record converted from HIS events Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): 1) Manual clearing of paths and drains; (2) Hand weeding of grave plots; (3) Mowing of lawns and paths; (4) The current Commonwealth Employment Scheme work program or others as approved from time to time by the Manager, Heritage and Conservation Branch; (5) Poisoning of weeds by careful spot application of a herbicide (eg. Roundup or Zero) not affecting ornamental or symbolic plantings of remnant native vegetation. (6) Sympathetic repair and maintenance of existing roads, paths, signs and drains; (7) Continued use of existing family vaults; (8) Interments, including placement of ashes, where no new memorial is required, except for memorials as described below; (9) Erection of standard memorials in any areas used by religious orders or the Armed Services; (10) Erection of memorials in family plots remaining in use provided memorials are in keeping with those existing; (11) Erection of standard memorials in the Catholic Lawn Cemetery (site of Necropolis 1 Railway Station); (12) Relettering / addition of inscriptions or bronze / stainless steel plaques to existing monuments;	Nov 21 1986
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act	See File For Schedule Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): (1) Manual clearing of paths and drains; (2) Hand weeding of grave plots; (3) Mowing of lawns and paths; (4) Careful spraying of paths with selective herbicide; (5) Poisoning of weeds by careful spot application of herbicide (eg. Roundup or Zero) in a manner which will not affect ornamental or symbolic plantings of remnant native vegetation. (6) Remedial tree surgery carried out according to professional hortictultural standards; (7) Removal of dead, dying or dangerous trees or tree limbs in cases where there is a public safety risk; (8) Suppression of fires in cases of threat to human lives, property or cemetery monuments; (9) Maintenance of any roads, paths, signs, fences, drains and buildings, where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing materials; (10) Work programmes as approved from time to time by the Manager, Heritage Branch; (11) Continued use of existing family vaults; (12) Interments, including placement of ashes, where no new memorial is required, except for memorials as described below; (13) Erection of standard memorials in any areas used by religious orders or the Armed Services; (14) Erection of memorials in family plots remaining in use provided memorials are in keeping with those existing; (15) Erection of standard memorials in the Catholic Lawn Cemetery (site of Necropolis, 1 Railway Station); (16) Relettering or addition of inscriptions or attachment of stainless steel plaques to existing monuments;	Oct 28 1988
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act - Site Specific Exemptions	10 November 1989 NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No 109 (page 9521) Heritage Act, 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) I, the Minister for Local Government and Minister for Planning, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales, in pursuance of section 57(2) of the Heritage Act, 1977, do, by this my order, grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the said Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out of any activities described in Schedule "C" by the owner, mortgagee, or lessee of the land described in Schedule "B" on the items described in Schedule "A". ( HC 30651) DAVID HAY Minister for Local Government and Minister for Planning. Sydney 27th October, 1989 SCHEDULE "A" The buildings, works, relics and place known as the No.1 Section, Rookwood Cemetery, Lidcombe, situated on the land described in Schedule "B". SCHEDULE "B" All those pieces or parcels of land shown edged in heavy black on the plan catalogued H.C. 1770 in the office of the Heritage Council of New South Wales. SCHEDULE "C" 1) Manual clearing of paths and drains; 2) Hand weeding of grave plots; 3) Mowing of lawns and paths; 4) Careful spraying of paths with selective herbicide; 5) Poisoning of weeds by careful spot application of herbicide (e.g. Roundup or Zero ) in a manner which will not affect ornamental or symbolic plants or remnant native vegetation; 6) Remedial tree surgery carried out according to professional horticultural standards; 7) Removal of dead, dying or dangerous trees or tree limbs in cases where there is a public safety risk; 8) Suppression of fires in cases of threat to human lives, property or cemetery monuments; 9) Maintenance of any roads, paths, signs, fences, drains and buildings, where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing materials; 10) Work programmes as approved from time to time by the Manager, Heritage Branch; 11) Continued use of existing family vaults; 12) Interments, including placement of ashes, where no new memorial is required, except for memorials as described below; 13) Erection of standard memorials in any areas used by religious orders or the Armed Services; 14) Erection of memorials in family plots remaining in use provided memorials are in keeping with those existing; 15) Erection of standard memorials in the Catholic lawn Cemetery (site of Necropolis, 1 Railway Station ) ; 16) Relettering or addition of inscriptions or attachment of stainless steel plaques to existing monuments; 17) All other activities provided for in the Plan of Management, as endorsed by the Heritage Council, and any amendments to this Plan of Management endorsed by the Heritage Council in the future.	Nov 10 1989
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act	See File For Schedule. Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): (1) Manual clearing of paths and drains; (2) Hand weeding of grave plots; (3) Mowing of lawns and paths; (4) Careful spraying of paths with selective herbicide; (5) Poisoning of weeds by careful spot application of herbicide (eg. Roundup or Zero) in a manner which will not affect ornamental or symbolic plants or remnant native vegetation; (6) Remedial tree surgery carried out according to professional hortictultural standards; (7) Removal of dead, dying or dangerous trees or tree limbs in cases where there is a public safety risk; (8) Suppression of fires in cases of threat to human lives, property or cemetery monuments; (9) Maintenance of any roads, paths, signs, fences, drains and buildings, where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing materials; (10) Work programmes as approved from time to time by the Manager, Heritage Branch; (11) Continued use of existing family vaults; (12) Interments, including placement of ashes, where no new memorial is required, except for memorials as described below; (13) Erection of standard memorials in any areas used by religious orders or the Armed Services; (14) Erection of memorials in family plots remaining in use provided memorials are in keeping with those existing; (15) Erection of standard memorials in the Catholic Lawn Cemetery (site of Necropolis, 1 Railway Station); (16) Relettering or addition of inscriptions or attachment of stainless steel plaques to existing monuments; (17) All other activities provided for in the Plan of Management, as endorsed by the Heritage Council, and any ammendments to this Plan of Management endorsed by the Heritage Council in the future.	Nov 10 1989
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	Management Plan for indigenous vegetation	This is actually a Plan of Management, for Indigenous Vegetation only	Apr 4 1996
CMP-Comment	Conservation Plan submitted for comment	Bushland Plan of Management for Rookwood Necropolic (draft 2)		Jun 21 2005
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	CMP 12/2016 by GML submitted by Rookwood Necropolis Trust for endorsement along with supporting documents		Nov 24 2017
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		00718	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Icons Project Nomination for SHR listing			29 Jul 04
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former		00718	10 Nov 89	109
Local Environmental Plan	Auburn LEP 2010 Schedule 5 heritage item (archaeol	A00718	29 Oct 10
National Trust of Australia register	NTA (NSA) Suburban Register item (Rookwood Cemeter	S9531	02 Mar 81
National Trust of Australia register	NTA (NSW) Suburban Register item (Rookwood Cremato	S11492
Register of the National Estate			12 Aug 87

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Auburn heritage study draft final report	1996		Neustein & Associates		No

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Tourism		2007	Rookwood Cemetery and Necropolis	View detail
Written	Archaeological Heritage Management Solutions P/L	2010	Aboriginal Archaeological Potenital Desk-top Assessment
Tourism	Attraction Homepage	2007	Rookwood Cemetery and Necropolis	View detail
Written	Carolyn Tallents Landscape Architect and Judie Rawling, UBM Consultants	2015	Rookwood Necropolis - Property Management Plan
Written	DEM (Aust.) P./L	2014	Rookwood Necropolis - Management Unit Policies
Written	DEM Australia	2010	Rookwood Visual Significance Study
Written	Department of Conservation and Land Management	1993	Rookwood Necropolis Plan of Management
Written	Design 5 Architects	2003	Quong Sin Tong monument No.1 General Cemetery, Rookwood Cemetery, Rookwood, Sydney, NSW 2141 : Conservation management plan
Written	Devine, Matthew	2000	'The Necropolis at Rookwood - the garden of mourning'
Electronic	Email Address for Friends of Rookwood	2004	Email Address for Friends of Rookwood	View detail
Written	Fairley, Alan	2004	Seldom Seen: Rare Plants of Greater Sydney
Written	Florence Jacquet, Landscape Architect, Cemetery Specialist	2015	Rookwood Necropolis Trust - Landscape Masterplan
Electronic	Friends of Rookwood Homepage	2004	Friends of Rookwood Homepage	View detail
Written	GML Heritage	2016	Rookwood Conservation Management Plan
Written	GML Heritage	2016	Rookwood - Archaeological Assessment
Written	Heritage Roses in Australia (NSW): Welch, Bruce & Jones, Esmond (letters)	1988	Appendix 10: Roses at Rookwood (part of Plan of Management)
Written	Jones, Esmond (Heritage Roses in Australia)	1988	Rookwood Cemetery: some observations on the state of the Old Fashioned Roses in the area taken over the last 9 or 10 years
Written	Kass, Terry, in Neustein & Associates	1995	Historical context report, Auburn Heritage Study
Written	McManus, Dennis	1990	The NSW Heritage Assistance Program
Written	Musecape	1989	'From Bush to Burial Ground: the landscape and design of a garden cemetery'
Written	Musecape / Betteridge Consulting	2018	Landscape report, military graves, Plot EE, Old Anglican Section, Rookwood Necropolis - heritage impact statement and draft section 60 application
Written	National Trust of Australia (NSW) Cemeteries Committee	1988	National Trust Classification Card
Written	Nicol, Robert	2002	'Rookwood Cemetery' (entry)	View detail
Written	NSW Department of Primary Industries - Catchments & Lands	2014	Rookwood Necropolis - Plan of Management
Written	NSW Department of Public Works	1988	Rookwood Necropolis: Plan of management
Written	P & J Smith Ecological Consultants	1999	Flora & Fauna Survey of Rookwood Necropolis
Written	Schwager Brooks & Partners, Higginbotham, E. & Associates, Taylor, D.M. Landscape Architects	1996	Rookwood Necropolis entry, in Auburn Heritage Study
Written	Siobhan Lavelle	1996	Rookwood Necropolis: archaeological appraisal of sites of former buildings and abandoned and derelict buildings, ruins and structures Author: Lavelle, Siobhan.; Pagination: 1 v. : ill. Publisher: Woodford, NSW: The Author,
Written	Siobhan Lavelle	1992	Summary report on archaeological investigations of the No.1 mortuary station and necropolis circuit, Rookwood Necropolis, Sydney, NSW
Written	Society of Australian Genealogists; Sigrist, David A.; Weston, David A. 1932-; Burge, David A.;	1989	The Sleeping city: the story of Rookwood Necropolis
Written	UBM Ecological Consultants P/L	2015	Rookwood Necropolis Bushland Management Plan 2014-2019 - Final Report
Written	Urban Bushland Management	2003	Bushland plan of management for Rookwood Necropolis
Written	Welch, Bruce	1986	'Rookwood Necropolis - a Victorian Landscape'
Written	Zammit, Jane	2011	'Conserving the roses of Rookwood'

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5045470
File number:	EF14/4346; S90/1798, H04/91/8

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

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