Revealed: Gold Coast City Council to close dump to expand cemetery

A city waste and recycling centre will be closed to allow expansion of a cemetery, despite residents expressing concerns about losing the tip.

A waste recycling centre will be closed to allow expansion of the city’s most southern cemetery, despite concerns of some residents.

Council has been warned by some hinterland residents that “closing the Mudgeeraba tip makes no sense” given the new Skyridge estate nearby will be home to 10,000 residents.

Plans for the expansion of the Mudgeeraba Cemetery, which will see the tip closed.

“It is absolutely ridiculous to close a waste facility utilised by locals regularly, to expand the cemetery. Particularly since there will be an additional 10,000 residents when the Skyridge development is finalised,” a resident wrote, in a submission to council.

“Surely a new cemetery can be built elsewhere in Mudgeeraba or the neighbouring suburbs where it will not have such a massive impact on the residents. Closing the dump makes no sense.”

The council in May undertook a Local Government Infrastructure Designation (LGID) for the Mudgeeraba Cemetery expansion which required public notification and responses.

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An updated report by officers to council’s planning committee on Thursday estimated supply of remaining burial spaces would last only 18 months.

The potential expansion of the Mudgeeraba Cemetery into the adjacent Waste and Recycling Centre site and old quarry areas had been identified in previous consultant reports undertaken for City Cemeteries.

Only 15 submissions were received by council with 12 not wanting the WRC to be closed. Two other submissions were opposed to cemeteries and an adjoining property owner requested more information about drainage issues.

The Mudgeeraba Waste and Recycling Centre.

Division 9 councillor Glenn Tozer told the Bulletin: “There’s no doubt making decisions between a peaceful place to remember our loved ones passed, and a convenient place to drop off our household waste has stimulated some interesting debate in our community.

“I didn’t expect to talk about death as much as I have over past months, but I was a little surprised that only 15 people wrote to us about the planned closure of the tip during this submission process.

“However, the Waste and Recycling Centres at Merrimac — under ten minutes from the new development at Skyridge — and at Reedy Creek near the West Burleigh industrial area both offer better recycling and waste capability and will be much more efficient as the city continues to grow.

“Frankly, while it is much rarer that we grieve the loss of a loved one and remember them in a public cemetery, it is no less an important council service.”

The Mudgeeraba Cemetery. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Cr Tozer said the new expanded cemetery would provide a supply of burial plots for another 15 to 20 years and visually appear as landscaped parkland.

“I know that in the fullness of time, locals will appreciate the beautiful parkland and peaceful place to grieve and remember their loved ones or honour our community’s rich history,” he said.

Planning chair councillor Cameron Caldwell said the City had conducted extensive consultation and identified a solution to a shortage of burial spaces.

“We know the Mudgeeraba cemetery has only 18 months of supply of burial plots remaining. Council identified the solution to this rapidly approaching issue by altering future use of part of an established council site,” he said.

The site of the planned expansion of the Mudgeeraba cemetery.

“The local government infrastructure designation of the Mudgeeraba cemetery expands and future proofs this important council service.

“We have completed a rigorous assessment process and been out to community consultation. The transition from what was formerly a waste and recycling centre to an expanded cemetery is now complete and will future proof around 20 years of supply.”

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