Poonindie Cemetery Improvement Plans

Poonindie Cemetery

In 2021, Council established a 'Working Group' to assist in the development of plans for minor improvements to the site. While a closed Cemetery, the Cemetery's association with the Poonindie Mission and the Indigenous Community make the site one of important historical value.

As part of the development of the plan, the Working Group engaged Chantal Wight, Heather Burke and Ian Moffat from the Flinders University Archaeology Department to undertake a survey using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), to assess disturbances in the ground that could indicate the location of gravesites. This survey took place on 28 September 2022 and was undertaken to provide assurance to the Working Group and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation and State Heritage that the planned erection of rabbit proof fencing would incorporate all grave sites within the cemetery. To view the survey results, please click here.

The Working group have now developed a draft plan which has received 'In principle' support from Council prior to consultation on the plan occurring from 20 November until 14 December 2022. To view the draft plan, please click here.

Professor Ian Moffat from Flinders University has now provided Council the GPR Survey results, and an application for an Authorisation to Undertake Works has now been made to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation to comply with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988, utilsing the GPR results as supporting documentation.

Working group member, Steve Sawyer continues to collate historical records made available through the Anglican Church and other sources and this data is planned to be displayed on the sides of shelters once erected on site. The working group will now commence planning for the next phases of delivery of the plan, noting physical erection of improvements (with the exception of fences and potentially planting) will occur once approval has been gained to commence work in line with the Aboriginal Heritage Act requirements.

Council is appreciative of the support of all Working Group members and looks forward to progressing improvements to this Cemetery.

Update - July 2024

Following consultation undertaken by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation (AAR) on Council’s application for authority to make improvements at the Poonindie Cemetery, Council is excited to hear that its application has progressed with AAR staff currently preparing a report for the Crown Solicitor’s office for review ahead of consideration of the plan for improvements at the cemetery by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Council and the working group were aware the application can take up to twelve months before a decision is made so this progress indicates we are now only a few months away from a decision by the Minister and have appreciated all of the work, guidance and due diligence AAR has put in thus far to assist Council and look forward to the outcome.

Unfortunately, this week staff have had to close the cemetery due to unstable ground caused by recent weather events. Amongst a number of planned improvements for the cemetery, filling of the depressions on site and the installation of rabbit proof fencing will assist to provide more stability on site in the future, but in the interim, we encourage everyone to obey the warning signs and we hope to have the cemetery open to the public again as soon as possible.

Update - November 2025

Everything came together and went smoothly the week of the 8th September, with 22 people attending the Legislative Awareness Session before heading out to the Cemetery to commence works.

With so many contractors, staff, volunteers and representatives on site at once, we couldn’t be more impressed watching everyone work together and to see on-site works commence. It was a rewarding feeling for all.

Council were very fortunate to have local Archaeologist, Scott Cain and Indigenous representative, Harry Miller Jnr, available to attend the site and support the progression of the project.

Update on Stage 1 Projects:

Stage 1 of the project consists of vegetation removal, installation of vermin proof fencing and tree planting around the cemetery perimeter. Future stages of work are dependent upon further funding being sourced, however include improvements to the carpark and roadway, on site installation of a shelter, seating and signage outlining the history and names of people believed to be interred on site. Below is an update of the works that have commenced in Stage 1: