A draft Gunnedah Memorial Park Cemetery Master Plan that plans for the 50 years ahead is now on public exhibition.
The draft Master Plan has been created by consultants Locale Consulting following stakeholder meetings and a community survey asking people for their feedback about the future of this important part of our community.
Gunnedah Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said the draft Gunnedah Memorial Park Cemetery Master Plan included a blueprint for significant expansion of the cemetery.
"About half of the site of the Gunnedah Memorial Park Cemetery has been developed as the green and respectful space where many of our community's loved ones are remembered today," Mr Bartlett said.
"We would like to have a seamless transition to the southern part of the site, and this draft master plan provides us with a framework to plan ahead.
"62% of respondents to the community survey preferred the second option, which was for a lawn-style cemetery combined with a partial natural area to the west. Alongside the formal part of the Memorial Park, people wanted to see a native garden area with a memorial garden space with walking trails, reflective seating areas, memorial spaces, and a large central shelter.
"This draft Master Plan includes this along with providing for improved pedestrian access to all areas, signage and traffic flow. It provides for a natural extension of what is already a space that allows people to remember their loved ones in peaceful surroundings."
Survey respondents identified five aspects as being most important for future planning of the Memorial Park. They are:
- Good access, such as pathways, particularly for older people
• Ensuring that the cemetery is safe and secure
• Having places for cremated remains to be interred
• Having beautifully maintained gardens
• A naturally beautiful environment using native plants and trees.
The draft Master Plan includes the existing partnership with the areas of the cemetery - the chapel, crematorium and memorial garden area in front of the chapel - owned by Lightfoot Funerals.
To view and find out how to put in a submission about the Gunnedah Memorial Park Cemetery Master Plan, click here. Submissions will close at 5pm on Monday, 14 October, 2024.
Caption: Gunnedah Memorial Park Cemetery includes a significant additional area that will be developed in years to come.
