Centenary Memorial Gardens in Sumner seeks approval for upgrade

Brisbane’s biggest cemetery has grand plans to upgrade facilities to meet changing community needs, but first has to overcome an unusual hurdle.

The government has been asked to decide if a Brisbane cemetery can go ahead with plans for its most impressive upgrade in two decades, including burials below the flood height.

Public consultation closes next week on plans by Centenary Memorial Gardens (CMG) in Sumner for a new chapel, cafe and catering area, terraced Asian lotus garden based on feng shui design principles and an open-air pavilion with a capacity of 200 people.

But it is the plans to expand burials into lower-lying parts of the 16.5ha property at Wacol Station Rd that could be the sticking point.

The existing burial zone is 8.8m above sea level, higher than the flood level on the sloping site near floodprone Wolston Creek.

That level was conditioned by the Planning and Environment Court in 2000 just before the facility opened, based on the Q10 level — a one-in-10 risk of a flood every year.

CMG has now applied to the Department of State Development to expand into lower areas.

Artist's impression of how part of the expanded facility could look.

“To achieve CMG’s vision for the site … a clear determination (is needed) of the extent of the site able to be used for the interment of the deceased and, more specifically, the lowest acceptable invert level for burials below the existing mapped waterway corridor,’’ planners Urban Strategies said in the application.

It said that the 2000 court approval appeared to be based on avoiding the “perceived possibility of leaching of contaminants from decomposing bodies into the water table and buoyancy effects of coffins being pushed to the surface during flood events’’.

Water in “normal’’ flooding over the site reached a height of 6.8-7.5m, it said.

“Following lengthy investigations of the site’s geological circumstances and the existing impacts of the use on the water quality of Wolston Creek, it has been determined that a greater proportion of the site may be suitable for burials and the interment of cremated remains,’’ Urban Strategies’ report said.

“A new minimum grave invert level of 5.16m should be applied to the site.

It is believed cases where floods have caused caskets to float up are extremelyrare and soil must first liquefy. Caskets would also have to be metal and well sealed for that to happen.

The open-plan pavilion will cater for up to 200 people.

“Beyond the specified extent of burials, the development plan indicates a further portion of the site, closer to Wolston Creek, that may be suitable for landscaping and the interment of cremated remains only,’’ the report said.

It said the proposal also took into account triple burials, where caskets were placed on top of each other.

The first stage of the expansion would be above flood levels and later stages would involve “compensatory’’ earthworks.

A Core Consultants groundwater report found no leaching from existing burial sites into Wolston Creek.

Flooding has been an issue over the years in other low-lying cemeteries across Queensland, including in Townsville, Ayr, Mackay and also Karumba in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Brisbane City Council said in a submission in 2023 that it was opposed to CMG seeking approval from the government, rather than going through the normal town planning procedures.

Council said it should have the ability to place conditions on noise, light, traffic, hours of operation and other impacts including removal of trees in biodiversity areas.

The chapel area at the site.

But the Urban Strategies report said only 17 scattered native trees, 11 of them mature koala habitat, would be removed.

The pavilion would be made from sustainable materials, blend in with the contours of the site and was 225m from the nearest house.

It pointed out that space was running out in Brisbane’s other cemeteries and crematoria as the population increased and also aged.

CMG, which conducts Christmas carols, fireworks, Mother’s Day memorials and other events at its site, said it would be considerate of noise and light impacts.

The 2000 court ruling placed strict rules on air quality impacts of the two cremators. There were no plans to change operation of them, it said.

Centenary Memorial Gardens at Sumner plans to expand.

CMG director James McKay said the fireworks were once a year and part of its Christmas Memorial Service, an event designed to support families who had lost a loved one.

“Christmas can be an incredibly difficult time for those grieving and this event provides a space for reflection and remembrance. It is a meaningful evening for many in the community,’’ he said.

“Regarding any concerns about noise and gatherings, our expansion is not about increasing capacity for large celebrations but enhancing the facilities for families already using our grounds.

“The new chapel is designed to offer a tranquil, nature-inspired space for services, keeping with our peaceful environment.

“We are mindful of our impact on the local community and take steps to manage traffic and visitor movement during larger services.

“Centenary Memorial Gardens remains a place of quiet reflection and our operations are conducted with this in mind.’’

Nearby residents letterboxed in the initial consultation in 2023 were split, with some saying they had loved ones at the facility and had experienced no noise or other problems.

But one local disagreed, despite the saying that the dead make the best neighbours.

“The peace and enjoyment of my property is already regularly interrupted by fireworks as well as noisy functions and celebrations,’’ she wrote in her submission.

“The celebrations that are currently held in your (CMG’s) gardens, day and night, include bands/singing that is heard from my home when I have windows and doors closed.

“If I had wanted the peace and enjoyment of my home interrupted further I would have built my home beside a pub.’’

CMG said it would contact that neighbour to better understand her concerns but said fireworks were only held once a year.

Urban strategies said the facility was currently open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, with only occasional 8am or twilight services. Weekend services were held only as required.

“During remembrance events, crowd and amplified noise is largely contained within existing enclosed buildings, although open air gatherings do sometimes occur,’’ it said.

“CMG is acutely aware of the need to maintain the amenity of the site for both visitors and nearby residential uses.

“They have confirmed that noise management is an operational priority.’’

The site is one of only two privately owned cemeteries and three privately owned crematoria located in Brisbane. Council manages 12 cemeteries and three crematoria.

Originally published as Centenary Memorial Gardens in Sumner seeks approval for upgrade