Burial plots cause a stink

A “LOW-PERFORMING” tip is to be closed because a neighbouring cemetery is losing the plot.

The council says its waste transfer rethink at Mudgeeraba, which still requires the support of residents, will help prevent ratepayers being charged tip fees at other sites.

Council is being pressured into the move by the increasing demand for burial sites and the state government removing its waste levy subsidy for local governments.

“Without expansion it is estimated that the cemetery will run out of burial space for burials by mid-2023,” the council says. “This is based on the demand for burials that has been experienced over the last five years.”

Plans show the southern forested area known as Koala Hill will be maintained as a reserve. Flyers will be sent to residents about the Mudgeeraba WRC closing from July 1.

Merrimac or Reedy Creek will be the closest operating tips. City officers say using the larger nearby WRCS will put downward pressure on charges.

Less than a dozen sites are understood to be available at Mudgeeraba cemetery, despite the neighbouring northern suburb of Worongary planning for up to 10,000 residents at the mega-skyridge estate.

Area councillor Glenn Tozer admits the plans are sensitive because some of the families in his area have lost loved ones recently and would be grieving.

“We are seeking community feedback on the cemetery and remembering our loved ones locally,” he said.

“I want to be sensitive to people who are grieving, but we have to think of the cemetery in terms of planning.”

City officers warned that council could face a $140m bill over four years after removing the waste levy subsidy.

They also said unless lower-performing waste transfer stations like Mudgeeraba were removed, the city would be forced to introduce gate fees.

In a report in July last year, the Bulletin revealed the city’s fast-growing suburbs were running out of suitable land and enough plots at its cemeteries – and for ratepayers, the cost of finding suitable land could run into millions of dollars.

In 2019, council officers warned of the urgent need to find more space due a 30 per cent spike in burials.

Last year, officers updated on some initial site investigations in the Mudgeeraba waste station area.

“A concept plan has been produced with an anticipated burial plot yield between 800 to 1000 burial plots that would be expected to satisfy new burial plot demand for between 16 to 20 years,” officers said.