Toowong Cemetery grave dispute divides locals

It’s home to more than 120,000 graves in one of Brisbane’s most scenic spots, but residents are divided over the state of Toowong Cemetery. POLL

Brisbane residents have called on the council to intervene in restoring damaged and ageing headstones at one of the city’s oldest cemeteries.

But they have been met with opposition by some who believe taxpayer money should instead be “spent on the living”, with the restoration of dilapidated headstones described as an “incredibly costly” exercise.

Toowong Cemetery, established in 1875, is home to more than 120,000 graves, some of which are looking “worse for wear”, regular visitors say.

Maintenance of individual graves is the responsibility of the burial rights holder and their descendants, under the state Cemeteries Act.

However, locals such as Itsy Foster Boultbee, have taken to social media sharing their concern over the longevity of this regulation, stating council should be able to step in when families cannot.

One of the many dilapidated headstones at Toowong Cemetery. Locals are calling for Brisbane City Council to take action as many headstones lie in ruin. Source: Facebook.,

“We just got back from a family tour around Toowong Cemetery, as you do, and we were shocked at the state of many of the graves!” she said.

“I presume that it is all down to money that they are left in such a way? If their families are no longer around for whatever reason, is it not possible for the council to step in?”

Friends of Toowong Cemetery volunteer group member Melissa Hughes said descendants might not want to bear responsibility.

“If relatives are alive they often don’t live local and don’t want to pay for damage to be fixed or have no interest sometimes,” she said.

The cemetery was established in 1875.

Pictures: Supplied/Facebook

Others, including Amanda Ryan, disagree with council taking on the ­responsibility, saying taxpayer money should be spent on the living.

“Spend money housing the living not the dead.” And, Joe Robson added: “Surely council – or any public [funds] – are better spent on the living …?” she said.

Historian and Brisbane Ghost Tours guide Jack Sim.

Historian and Brisbane Ghost Tours guide Jack Sim said headstones deteriorated over time. “In Toowong Cemetery, it’s been 150 years since the first burial … so in 2022 what we’re seeing is a reality of time. It’s a mixture of wind, rain, weather and gravity that people are seeing,” he said.

Repairs and maintenance on headstones could be incredibly costly, even from a council’s perspective.

“It’s expensive to maintain them, it’s literally thousands upon thousands of dollars,” Mr Sim said.

“And it’s not just hundreds, it’s thousands of headstones that need repairs … I can’t blame council for not taking on a job of this scale.”

Mr Sim said Brisbane City Council was doing a great job maintaining the cemetery grounds. “I’ve been doing these tours for over 25 years and the grounds have never looked so neat and tidy.”