Mudgeeraba tip will close to allow neighbouring crowded cemetery to expand, under new plan

One of the Gold Coast’s ‘lower performing’ waste transfer stations will be closed down to allow for the expansion of a cemetery. See what it means for locals.

The ‘low performing’ Mudgeeraba Waste transfer will be closed down to enable the expansion of the neighbouring cemetery, under a new plan.

The City’s tip rethink, which still requires the support of residents, will help prevent the council charging ratepayers tip fees at other sites.

Council is being pressured into the move by the growing demand for burial sites and the state government removing its waste levy subsidy for local governments.

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The council says: “Without expansion it is estimated that the cemetery will run out of burial space for burials by mid-2023. This is based on the demand for burials that has been experienced over the last five years.”

Plans show the southern forested area known as Koala Hill is to be maintained as a reserve.

The Bulletin can reveal residents will be notified with flyers sent out about the Mudgeeraba WRC closing from July 1.

Merrimac or Reedy Creek will be the closest operating tips. City officers say using the larger nearby WRCs will put downward pressure on charges.

Less than a dozen sites are understood to be available at Mudgeeraba cemetery despite the neighbouring northern suburb of Worongary planning for up to 10,000 residents at the mega-SkyRidge estate.

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Area councillor Glenn Tozer admits the plans are sensitive because some of the families in his area have lost loved ones recently and would be grieving.

“We are seeking community feedback on the cemetery and remembering our loved ones locally,” he said.

“I want to be sensitive to people who are grieving. But we have to think of the cemetery in terms of planning.”

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City officers in preparing the changes warned that council could face a $140m bill over four years after removing the waste levy subsidy.

They also said unless lower performing waste transfer stations like Mudgeeraba were taken off the grid, the City will be forced to introduce gate fees.

In a report in July last year, the Bulletin revealed the city’s fast-growing suburbs were running out of suitable land and enough plots at its cemeteries — and for ratepayers, the cost of finding suitable land could run into millions of dollars.

In 2019, council officers warned of the urgent need to find more space due a 30 per cent spike in burials.

Last year in a report, first produced in a closed session of council, officers updated on some initial site investigation in the Mudgeeraba waste station area.

“A concept plan has been produced with an anticipated burial plot yield between 800 to 1000 burial plots that would be expected to satisfy new burial plot demand for between 16 to 20 years,” officers said.

Council is required under state laws to launch public notification and seek feedback. Residents have until May 30 to respond. Have your say on the council’s website, and see the plans here.

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