Gold Coast families mow Mudgeeraba cemetery lawn because it’s ‘not maintained’ by council

FAMILIES who have buried loved ones at a Gold Coast cemetery are taking matters into their own hands, claiming the council-run lawns are not being properly maintained.

Haydn Kelly’s grave. Picture: Jerad Williams

FAMILIES of buried loved ones say they have been forced to mow the lawns of a Gold Coast cemetery, claiming the council-run plots are not properly maintained.

Mother-of-three Vicki Milligan said her sons visited the Mudgeeraba Cemetery, where their father is buried, at least once a month to cut overgrown grass.

It comes after the Bulletin yesterday reported on single mother Susan Kelly, whose 18-year-old son’s grave had sunk up to 20cm in some places.

Haydn Kelly’s gravesite, which council say has now been refilled. Picture: Jerad Williams

The grave was filled late on Tuesday afternoon, following a series of queries to the council from a Bulletin reporter.

A spokeswoman said turf would be laid once the dirt had resettled.

But Ms Milligan said despite the council’s response to Ms Kelly’s complaint, her family had ongoing maintenance issues after burying her husband, who died from cancer, three years ago.

“It looks untidy, it’s not mowed regularly enough, to the point that my sons go up and mow there (every month),” she said.

“It’s not just us, I’ve seen other people there too. It costs a lot to bury someone, it’s not cheap.

Ms Milligan says the cemetery can have ankle-deep grass between mowings. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I was up there last Sunday, it was my husband’s birthday, and I was standing in ankle deep grass.”

The Robina resident said she had called council about the problem on numerous occasions, but felt the council was constantly “passing the buck” to other affiliated parties.

Gold Coast City Council denied any complaints had been filed for the past two years about Mudgeeraba cemetery maintenance matters.

A spokesman said external contractors were used to mow the lawns and this was completed weekly.

Susan Kelly said it was inexcusable that her 18-year-old son's grave had been allowed to sink so far down she can nearly touch it. Picture: Jerad Williams

“This changes to fortnightly or every three weeks in winter,” he said, adding any requests for assistance including ‘top ups’ due to rain had been responded to.

“The City requests people refrain from (mowing the lawns).”

Ms Kelly said she was pleased action had finally been taken, but she would not hold her breath until the turf was actually laid.

“I’ll be back on weekend,” she said.

“It’s just not fair. They said that (they would turf it) in November.”

Ms Kelly said she had been touched by the offers of help from the community and was continuing to save up to buy her son a plaque for his grave, potentially by selling her car.

Bonogin father-of-three Johnno Mills said it was “bloody terrible” that the grave had been allowed to get into such a state.

“I just read the story and it touched me,” he said.

The patchy lawn-work at Mudgeeraba cemetery. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I will gladly go down there with a couple of mates to alleviate it.

“(Her plight) just hit me like a tonne of bricks.”

Facebook user Jeremie Dorr said he was also willing to help, writing: “I got a shovel and (wheelbarrow), keen to help.”

Mudgeeraba local Nadia Tindiglia, whose family owns a handyman business, said she had six children and felt for Ms Kelly.

“It’s heartbreaking,” she said, offering her businesses services.

“We could easily do something and put some soil and grass down.”