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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-05-13 Daily Xml
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WEST TERRACE CEMETERY

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (14:58): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Urban Development and Planning a question about West Terrace Cemetery.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN: Recently, on ANZAC Day, we saw how important it is to Australians that the service of veterans be recognised, and that includes the maintenance of war graves. Members would be aware that a joint state and commonwealth government funded Glenelg to Adelaide Parklands pipeline project is a major initiative to re-use wastewater in our Parklands, sports fields and open spaces. Will the minister outline any moves by the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority to tap into this high quality resource to supply water to irrigate the West Terrace Cemetery, in particular the war graves section?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (14:59): I thank the honourable member for his important question. The Adelaide Cemeteries Authority administers four major cemeteries across Adelaide: the West Terrace Cemetery, the Cheltenham Cemetery, the Enfield Memorial Park, and the Smithfield Memorial Park. As part of these responsibilities, the authority administers some of South Australia's most significant historical cemeteries and gravestones. The West Terrace Cemetery, in particular, is one of our state's important sites of historical significance and, as such, is listed on the state heritage register.

The location of the West Terrace Cemetery, originally known as the Adelaide Public Cemetery, was fixed by Colonel Light in his 1837 survey of the city of Adelaide and is one of the last original capital city cemeteries still operating in Australia. The Australian Imperial Force (AIF) Cemetery was officially opened in February 1920, soon after peace was declared in the Great War. Dedicated for the burial of ex-service personnel, the AIF Cemetery was the first soldiers' burial ground in the commonwealth.

The four hectare AIF section located in the Light and Kendrew Oval areas of the West Terrace Cemetery contains the gravestones of 4,155 ex-service personnel, including four Victoria Cross recipients: Lieutenant Arthur Blackburn, Joergen Jensen, Private Reginald Inwood and Corporal Phillip Davey. The Cross of Sacrifice, a gift of the commonwealth government, was also the first of its kind in an Australian burial ground. On a personal note, my grandfather is one of those buried in that AIF section of the West Terrace Cemetery.

I was pleased to announce recently that the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority had signed a supply agreement with SA Water to receive high-quality recycled water through the Glenelg to Adelaide Parklands pipeline project. The West Terrace Cemetery will be supplied high-quality recycled water by accessing the 32 kilometre network of pipes that links the upgraded Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant to Adelaide's Parklands. I am particularly pleased that water from the Glenelg to Adelaide Parklands pipeline is now being used by the cemetery to integrate the AIF section.

Water restrictions, introduced in 2006 in response to the worst drought in Australia's recorded history, left the West Terrace Cemetery and surrounding Parklands parched. Understandably this brought some criticism from the RSL about the upkeep of the AIF section, temporarily resolved by the issuing of water permits to the cemetery. However, a more permanent solution was required, which is why I am pleased to inform members that this agreement to supply water will allow the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority to maintain the cemetery—in particular, the AIF section, which has a significant lawned area—to a high standard of presentation, even during Adelaide's hot and dry summers.

This arrangement will help to ensure that the AIF Cemetery is maintained as a green resting place fit for our heroes. I am sure that the families of the ex-service personnel who are buried at the cemetery will appreciate the improved grounds and amenity. It is only fitting that we preserve the final resting place of those South Australians who fought so bravely to defend our liberty.

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