The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) says the state is facing a “burial boom” as cemeteries run out of space, presenting councils with key challenges to overcome.
The Association’s new research, presented at its Annual Conference this week, warns councils are facing growing space pressures, calling on the State Government to work with them to investigate constrained land supply and competing land uses, financial viability, cultural needs and preferences, tenure and long-term management to develop contemporary options to support local communities into the future.
“Queensland’s population is growing, ageing, and diversifying: councils are facing a ‘burial boom,” said LGAQ President and Gladstone Mayor, Matt Burnett.
“We know that the need for end-of-life infrastructure is universal but unlike other uses for land, cemeteries are forever, and land must meet specific criteria.
“Several councils have noted that capacity within existing council-owned and private cemeteries is becoming increasingly limited, with few options for expansion.
“As Queensland’s population continues to grow and age, and as local government areas continue to urbanise, pressure on cemeteries is also expected to mount, with cemetery land supply in some local government areas expected to be exceeded in 10 to15 years,” he said.
LGAQ Chief Executive Officer, Alison Smith said councils have conducted research to better understand these statewide challenges and have united in their call for the State Government to work alongside councils on the future of cemeteries for all Queenslanders.
“We need a holistic, strategic and statewide approach to considering and addressing these issues,” Ms Smith said.
Noosa Council Mayor, Frank Wilkie said the Council was exploring innovative and sustainable approaches, including alternative burial options, tenure on reservations to reduce the number of unused graves, and new revenue models, to ensure services remain accessible, inclusive and adaptable into the future.
“Noosa Council is in the process of developing own cemeteries plan – if we had overarching criteria to support councils in the choices they make for their communities, that would be helpful,” the Mayor said.
City of Gold Coast Deputy Mayor, Mark Hammel said any approach to the issue needed to be collective and regional.
“The magical red line of council division doesn’t matter when someone is being buried,” he said.
“With our population growth on the Gold Coast, we need to be planning for a longer window in this space.”
