Proposal to build cemetery on ex-mining site at North Stradbroke Island

Burial space has all but run out at this community east of Brisbane — but a proposal to build a new cemetery in an old sand mine is hoping to address the grave concerns.

A proposal will soon be lodged to build a new cemetery on North Stradbroke Island.

NORTH Stradbroke Island is in the midst of a “critical burial shortage” but a proposal for a new cemetery is hoping to address an urgent need for plots.

Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation is preparing to lodge a development proposal with the State Government to build the cemetery on 5.6ha of bushland previously used for sand mining.

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The proposal includes a chapel, mortuary and burial space for island residents and Quandamooka people, who have held native title rights over land under mining leases on North Stradbroke Island since 2011.

Earlier this year, the State Government formally relinquished the land to QYAC, giving the body corporate the green light to push ahead with the plans.

Chief executive of QYAC Cameron Costello at Amity Point, North Stradbroke Island. Picture: Liam Kidston

QYAC chief executive Cameron Costello said there was an urgent need for burial space on the island and a cemetery was an “essential piece of infrastructure”.

“It’s at a point where the island either needs a new cemetery or people need to start being buried on the mainland,” Mr Costello said.

“From a cultural perspective, it’s extremely important for Quandamooka people to be buried on country, for them to have that connection to land. For non-Quandamooka people we recognise it’s important for their loved ones.”

While mapping is yet to be completed, it is estimated that the new site could accommodate as many plots as the heritage-listed Dunwich Cemetery, currently the only operational graveyard on North Stradbroke Island.

The first of the Dunwich Cemetery’s estimated 10,000 burials is believed to date from 1847. Picture: David May

The historic burial grounds date back to 1847 and have more than 10,000 burials, including an estimated 8,500 unmarked graves of inmates from the Dunwich Benevolent Asylum.

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A Redland City Council spokesman said while the cemetery had almost 600 allotments — 361 of these were full, 62 were partially occupied and 171 had been reserved or purchased by community members for future use.

“There are no plots left and no land available at the site to increase the opportunity for future allotments,” the spokesman said.

North Stradbroke Island’s only operational cemetery is full.

Mr Costello said QYAC has just six reserved sites left for Quandamooka people and had recently relinquished one after a resident called him in tears because she could not bury her son on the island.

“It’s a very real issue and very distressing for anyone who has an unexpected death in their family,” he said.

QYAC’s proposal is currently progressing through a State Government Ministerial Infrastructure Designation process that includes community consultation.

Public submissions can be lodged by September 13 to: [e-mail]