Residents have only a few weeks left to learn more and voice their opinions about a design masterplan for the region’s largest cemetery.
Sunshine Coast Council is inviting the community to provide feedback on the proposed concept design for the Kulangoor Cemetery Masterplan 2023.
To date, the Kulangoor Cemetery Masterplan 2004 has guided the design and operations of the cemetery.
Through the Sunshine Coast Council Cemetery Plan 2019-2028, the council is committed to reviewing masterplans for the cemetery network of 18 locations to ensure services meet the needs of our diverse community.
The Kulangoor Cemetery Masterplan Review 2023 will provide guidance and recommendations for cemetery services, taking into account industry research, other successful cemetery operations throughout Australia and community feedback.
It comes as council digs deeper to ensure residents’ dying wishes to be buried in one of its cemeteries can be met now and in the future.
From north to south and into the hinterland, population increases energised by the COVID-19 migration to the region are putting pressure on cemeteries, despite cremations increasing in popularity.
It was reported in July last year that Australians in general were turning their backs on burials.
Chief executive of government authority Canberra Memorial Parks, Kerry McMurray, told an ABC journalist that attitudes to funerals were changing.
“There’s been a huge shift away from burials to cremations — cremations now probably represent 75 per cent — and it’s been a fairly quick shift over the last five or six years to move to cremations,” he said.
Council’s 18 cemeteries cover more than 60 hectares of public open space.
A council spokesperson said that as one of Australia’s fastest-growing areas – with more than 400,000 people expected to be living here by 2028 – the region was seeing greater demand for cemetery services that balanced the social, environmental, affordability and cultural needs of the community.
“The Sunshine Coast Cemetery Plan provides strategic direction to guiding the effective management of council’s cemetery network and ensures ongoing service excellence,” they said.
“The plan allows council to address key challenges and opportunities when determining operational planning and budgets for future years.
“Council’s Cemetery Action Plan (which is part of the Sunshine Coast Cemetery Plan) requires master planning of council’s cemetery network.”
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The spokesperson said that in addition to reviewing the Kulangoor Master Plan, the council was investigating options within the region’s south for cemetery use.
“Work has commenced within the existing cemetery network to identify any unused space to cater for the projected population growth and demand on council’s cemetery services,” they said.
“Caloundra Cemetery is nearing capacity and continued accessibility for residents in these areas is an important focus for council.
“A review of the Caloundra Cemetery site aims to identify previously unused space which may be suitable for ‘at-need’ (for a person who has recently passed) and ‘pre-need’ (to cater for individuals’ future needs through reservation of an interment site) arrangements without adversely affecting the character and amenity of the site.”
Minor work commenced in June this year to extend the capacity of the Caloundra Cemetery for the next two years, while the broader review to identify further capacity is performed to extend accessibility for the community.
The spokesperson said there currently were no plans for an additional cemetery in the hinterland. However, the council would continue to review future requirements for cemeteries across the region.
The Have Your Say website states that the proposed future development of Kulangoor Cemetery aims to be modern, accessible and provide choice, with sustainability in mind.
The draft concept masterplan will take into consideration places for reflection, memorial and respite for communities as well as new public open space.
The review covers the existing site, as well as an adjoining parcel of land owned by council to the west, totalling about 198,000sqm.
The community consultation ends on October 30. Residents can provide feedback by completing the online survey by October 31 at 5pm.
A series of community drop-in sessions this month will allow those interested to chat directly to the council’s Cemetery Services team.
Sessions will be held at:
- The Chapel, Kulangoor Cemetery, on October 12, 4.30-5.30pm; October 18, 9.30-10.30am; and October 24, 9.30-10:30am; and
- Nambour Library, corner of Currie and Bury streets, on October 17, 11am-noon; and October 26, 1-2pm.
Nominations also are invited for membership on the 2023 Kulangoor Master Plan Community Reference Group that will work collaboratively with the council and provide input into the draft concept. Applications close at 5pm on October 15.
After the review and analysis of all feedback, the final concept design for the cemetery is expected to be updated and finalised between February and April next year, ready for council consideration for adoption.
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