Design work is underway on Canberra’s unique Southern Memorial Park Cemetery, with the ACT Government releasing a report on community feedback following consultation earlier this year.
“The ACT Government has committed funding to design the first stage of new cemetery to meet the needs of our growing city on the southside,” said Minister for City Services Chris Steel.
“Stage 1 will provide the foundations of Southern Memorial Park as a cemetery in a natural bush setting, with services for Canberrans from all walks of life.”
Feedback that has been collected from the community on preliminary plans will inform the first stage of works, including a preference for natural burials to be incorporated from the beginning.
“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. 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,” said Minister Steel.
Following the completion of detailed design work and future funding decisions, the first stage of works is planned include:
- approximately 2,500 burial plots
- new signalised entry on Mugga Lane
- a works depot
- a playground
“Over the last 12 months we’ve consulted with stakeholders, including faith groups and the wider community, on the revised masterplan and concept designs,” said Minister Steel.
“This follows the extensive review of cemeteries and crematoria in the ACT with this having been used to inform designs of Southern Memorial Park, which will cater for our diverse community.”
Consistent themes in the feedback were centred on retaining and enhancing the natural landscape and its values. 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.
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’.
The importance of achieving a balance between providing some recreational amenity whilst maintaining the reflective, peaceful qualities of a cemetery will be a strong focus as the Government moves through future design phases.
