City’s graves search begins

TOWNSVILLE City Council is looking for somewhere to put a new cemetery.

The council yesterday confirmed the search was under way after considering the issue in a closed session of its planning committee.

In a statement, planning chair Les Walker said the council had just started the process.

“We are at the first stage of this work and no site has been selected,” Cr Walker said.

“However, it is going to be several years before any new cemetery will be needed in Townsville.

“This site investigation is about ensuring council has strong long- term planning for all the facilities the community needs.”

Cr Walker said investigations for a new site would take into account several influencing factors.

“Soil quality, location and access to transport will be considered when staff are investigating site options,” Cr Walker said.

“A community engagement process will ramp up when council determines a shortlist of potential sites.”

The council operates cemeteries at Belgian Gardens and West End. There is also a historic cemetery at Magnetic Island and another small site, called the Manton Cemetery, on the Flinders Highway near Woodstock.

Sources said the council had been trying to identify a new site for many years.

Townsville Cremations director Neville Boyle said demand for burials tended to run at around 200 a year compared with around 1000 for cremations.

He said for some people, particularly those with a European heritage, burials were a tradition.

While, many people tended to prefer cremation for various reasons, Mr Boyle said cost was a major consideration.

He said the council charges for a new plot with interment were about $ 3400.

Other funeral charges could bring the total cost for a burial to $ 10,000, compared with a basic cremation of $ 2500.

“It comes down to cost,” Mr Boyle said.

He said access to water would be important in any consideration for the site for a new cemetery.

A well- watered lawn and garden around the cemetery provided a better experience for people visiting the graves of their loved ones, he said.