Work commences on Gracemere Cemetery
Published on 10 February 2017
This week, work began on the expansion of the Gracemere Cemetery with stage one works on the new Ashes Garden underway.
Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee Chair Councillor Cherie Rutherford said once completed the Ashes Garden would be a quiet, reflective space for the Gracemere community.
“The plans for the Ashes Garden includes new gardens, trees, seating, pathways, a shelter and a columbarium for the placement of cremated ashes, all in a quiet, landscaped setting,” Cr Rutherford said
“Once finished, it will be a very beautiful and unique space where family and friends can visit their loved ones in peaceful surrounds.”
Division 4 Councillor Ellen Smith said work on the Ashes Garden is part of a larger master plan and is expected to be completed by August 2017.
“A master plan for the greater Gracemere Cemetery site was developed after community consultation and feedback, and will incorporate large areas for burials, as well as expansive lawns with specimen trees and car parking,” Cr Smith said.
“While the masterplan features traditional burial areas, we’re finding more and more people are choosing cremation, so this Ashes Garden will cater to that growing need, as well as give our community various choices.”
The $320,000 Ashes Garden works are scheduled to continue until August 2017. Implementation of the greater Gracemere Cemetery will occur in stages over the coming years.
You can view the concept plans here.
Works include:
- Site preparation and civil earthworks
- Drainage and irrigation installation
- Concrete pathway and concrete works
- Quality plant material grown locally for acclimatisation
- Development of quality gardens
- Trees, seating, columbarium, shade structure.
ENDS
Images: Cr Ellen Smith, Cr Cherie Rutherford and Council’s Landscape Architect Michael Ramsay at the Gracemere Cemetery site for the new Ashes Garden.