$8M CEMETERY EXPANSION STARTS
ONE of the Gold Coast’s largest cemeteries will undergo a multi-milliondollar expansion to address a shortage of burial spaces.
Work has already begun at Nerang’s Allambe Memorial Park, which is owned by InvoCare, has already started construction across the 11ha to create 4500 burial spots, a ring road with extra carparking and a regenerated wetland.
The extra burial sites are expected to support the Gold Coast community for the next 30 years.
InvoCare’s Queensland general manager of cemeteries and crematoria Andrew Dreghorn said the $8-million expansion was sorely needed. “The Gold Coast is running out of space,” he said.
“Gold Coast City Council cemeteries are reaching capacity. We’ve looked at the fact that the Coast is running out of land for memorials. It’s the right time for us to start development. The additional land will expand the life of the cemetery by 30 years … it’s a very significant development.”
Mr Dreghorn said the development had been earmarked since 2005.
He said in response to community feedback, there would be a wider variety of burial methods, including more Orthodox, Croatian and Catholic plots.
Families could also choose to bury family members close to a planted tree for a more natural setting. He said all of the plot treatments had not been finalised and there could be more ideas available in coming months.
The wetland area was a part of the park that would not only help beautify the area, but also fulfil council requirements, Mr Dreghorn said.
“We wanted a peaceful and physically beautiful environment,” he said.
“It also has a practical side – we’re working with the council to have open spaces and ecology. We wanted to allow for movement of water across the property. We see it as a way to be really sustainable.”