Design work is underway on Canberra’s newest cemetery with the Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate releasing its report on community feedback following consultation earlier this year.
Announced by Minister for City Services, Chris Steel, the Directorate’s Southern Memorial Park Masterplan Review Engagement Report is to inform the first stage of works for the cemetery on Mugga Lane in Hume.
“Consistent themes in the feedback were centred on retaining and enhancing the natural landscape and its values,” Mr Steel said.
“There was strong support for a natural design complementing the layout of the land, with a preference for retaining existing trees and using mainly local native plants and trees,” he said.
“This was further evidenced in ranking options for naming conventions throughout the facility, with the preferred option of respondents for ‘plant species of cultural significance’.”
Mr Steel said the importance of achieving a balance between providing some recreational amenity while maintaining the reflective, peaceful qualities of a cemetery would be a strong focus of future design phases.
The Minister said community feedback identified a preference for natural burials to be incorporated from the beginning of design plans.
“We have identified the capacity in stage one for up to 120 natural burial plots in this stage of the project, sufficient for five years once Southern Memorial Park becomes operational,” he said.
“The location and size of this area will be further refined during the next stage of design, which has been funded in the recent Budget.”
Mr Steel said that, following the completion of detailed design work and future funding decisions, the first stage of works was planned to include approximately 2,500 burial plots; new signalised entry on Mugga Lane; a works depot; and a playground.
The Directorate’s 29-page Engagement Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
