Page 1102 - Week 03 - Thursday, 26 February 2009
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community. Over the coming months, extensive public consultation will be undertaken for a proposed new southern cemetery. The proposed cemetery will be developed to provide the facilities and services desired by the Canberra community. If supported by the ACT community, it is also possible that a crematorium will be built. With around 70 per cent of Canberrans choosing to be cremated and only one crematorium located in the city, I imagine there could be strong demand for a second facility. But, of course, I cannot, and I do not and will not, pre-empt the community’s views on this.
If the proposal proceeds, the new cemetery would be developed in stages and cater for Canberra’s needs for potentially up to 80 years. I would hope that a new facility would incorporate sustainable design elements, including the ability to use surface water and groundwater for irrigation and toilets, on-site recycling of wastewater and alternative energy sources. I would also anticipate that extensive plantings would be used to create a peaceful and natural environment.
The consultation will involve asking Canberrans to provide their feedback on the suitability of the location, as well as the design and type of cemetery they would like to see built. The community’s input will feed into a feasibility study which will examine both the suitability of the site and the possible inclusion of a crematorium. In relation to the location, the consultation, which, as I think you are all aware, is being led by Mr Robert Smeaton, the Chairman of the Cemeteries Board, is seeking the community’s feedback on the suitability of an area of 226 hectares, and within this zone, to identify an area of approximately 50 hectares where a cemetery would best be sited. The process will include information sessions, a community survey, stakeholder meetings with local residents, local community councils, the funeral industry, equestrian groups and other key stakeholders.
At the same time, the ACT government is exploring alternatives to cremation and standard cemeteries practice. Naturally, options for alternative forms of burial and cremation will be discussed as part of the consultation on the southern cemetery. Natural burial is one example. There is a trend worldwide towards the provision of areas for natural burial. In Australia, four cemeteries to date have implemented natural burial areas as part of their standard burial practice. Natural burials are currently available in Lismore in New South Wales, in Kingston in Tasmania, at the Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park in Western Australia and at the Lilydale Cemeteries Trust in Victoria. Queanbeyan cemetery, it has to be noted, has a “bush” section.
The Australian community is becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impacts of conventional burial and disposal practices. While there are distinct health and environmental impacts associated with natural burials, we should not allow these to become barriers to consideration being given to natural burial. Natural burial allows for burial in a manner that does not inhibit decomposition. The body is prepared without the use of chemicals and is placed in a shroud or biodegradable coffin in a protected green space. Natural burials can take place in conventional cemeteries as well as in dedicated natural burial grounds. Natural elements such as plants and rocks are used as grave markers. In some places overseas, natural cemeteries are being used to establish or restore forests or woodlands with native species.
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