Dangerous, rusty, broken items to be removed from grave sites

Dangerous, rusty and broken items to be removed as council responds to worsening problem across all Rockhampton cemeteries.

North Rockhampton Cemetery is set for a grave site clean-up

The Rockhampton region’s cemeteries are in for a cleanup, with council officers to remove dangerous, rusty or broken items from grave sites.

A report to council on Wednesday outlined the campaign to “improve the appearance of our grave sites, ensuring they are a peaceful resting place for all loved ones who visit”.

The report indicated there would be a three-month grace period for families to ensure any sentimental or valuable items are collected before the cleanup begins about February.

North Rockhampton Cemetery is set for a grave site clean-up

The report said that the council policy on “non-conforming” items for grave sites had never been effectively communicated to the community and there had been no overarching approval to remove such items without going to management.

“Due to this, there is now an excessive amount of non-confirming items on graves and ashes sites across all cemeteries,” the report said.

“The cemeteries administration team regularly receives comments from the community regarding the ‘look’ of some graves in that they are untidy, items are broken, artificial flowers are blowing all over the cemetery, weeds are growing within ‘homemade’ grave covers and surrounds or items are encroaching on a neighbouring plot.”

Mowing around gravesites becomes a safety issue for staff when broken, fallen or displaced items are hidden in long grass.

“A number of families are also installing ‘homemade’ grave covers and/or headstones without obtaining approval from council or paying the relevant permit fee, and in many cases these surrounds are being positioned outside the allocated space and encroaching on a neighbouring site,” the report said.

 “The cleanup’s goals include fostering “equal respect for all individuals laid to rest by maintaining clear site boundaries and preventing disruption to neighbouring graves or ashes sites”.

Another view of the North Rockhampton Cemetery.

Council officers said the cleanup process would be communicated to the public through community notices, signage at cemeteries, regular website updates and detailed factsheets.

However due to the age of cemetery records, particularly in monumental cemeteries, council will not have sufficient information to contact every holder of burial right or next of kin prior to removal, nor was there capacity to catalogue and store items that have been removed.

 A number of councillors were concerned about the sensitivities associated with gravesite items being removed but council staff assured them the focus was on objects deemed dangerous or broken.

North Rockhampton Cemetery is set for a grave site clean-up.

The following items are among those considered non-conforming for grave sites:

• Artificial flowers (with wire)
• Wind chimes, windmill ornaments, solar or battery powered lights or ornaments
• Toys, candles, photo frames or balloons
• Alcohol containers
• Any items that will rust
• Any broken and/or disintegrated items
• Any items with hooks, spikes or sharp edges
• Any items spiked into the ground
• Any item placed or hung on trees, shrubs or plants
• Any item placed or planted on the lawn areas and pathways, for example pavers, fencing, vegetation