World Class Upgrade for Hay Cemetery
By Tertia Butcher
Council’s Public Cemeteries Policy is being amended to reflect changes in the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2013 No 105 and its regulations.
Council said the policy amendments also include a variety of other issues that staff has faced in the past five years.
These include parking on graves, overnight camping in the reserve and animals on graves.
Three new facilities have been created since Council adopted its current master plan in 2021 – columbarium, memorial bridge and pet memorial plaques.
The columbarium features a cross made from recycled bridge timber. It will consist of granite slopes spaced throughout the pebbled area at the base of the cross, with ashes inserted beneath.
Up to two containers may be placed in each niche.
The memorial bridge was built specifically as a structure to memorial plaques, following feedback from the community.
It was constructed of recycled bridge timber on the sides, to which the plaques can be attached.
The pet memorial is strictly for plaques only. No animal can be interned in Hay Cemetery.
General Manager, David Webb said the expansion has delivered an additional 216 graves and 54 columbarium niches, all which have been funded by Council.
The amended policy will be exhibited for a period of 28 days.