Gold Coast City Council investigating proposal for underwater graveyard in Broadwater

AN UNDERWATER burial ground in one of the Gold Coast’s most popular waterways is on the agenda, with city leaders investigating plans to create an impressive permanent memorial beneath the waves. SEE THE VIDEO

THE Broadwater could become the site of an underwater burial ground under ambitious plans being developed at city hall.

The Gold Coast City Council is investigating creating a memorial site to allow cremated remains to be interred far beneath the surface, either stored inside structures or mixed in with concrete to create new sections.

It is the latest proposed solution to the city’s shortage of burial plots.

The Neptune Memorial Reef in Florida. Picture: Neptune Memorial Reef

Inspired by the Neptune Memorial Reef near Miami in Florida, US, the council began investigating the proposal in January and a report is being prepared.

It is expected to go before the council’s Lifestyle and Community Committee later this year.

Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow is an enthusiastic supporter and says she wants it to go ahead in the Broadwater.

“People tell me they would rather be in a peaceful place under than in a cemetery because at least they know they will be there permanently,” she said.

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The Entrance lion Picture: Neptune Memorial Reef

“Nobody enjoys going to a cemetery but they do love the water so it is a natural progression.

“We could do it in the Broadwater and near Wavebreak Island would be best.”

Cr Crichlow said the idea was cost-effective, would extend the life of the city’s cemeteries and would create an added attraction for the city’s growing dive market.

She said there would be space for a significant number of remains, depending on how much space was allotted.

A memorial stone at the US site. Picture: Neptune Memorial Reef

Cr Crichlow did not rule out the possibility of being interred herself in the memorial area if it was built, saying she “didn’t care” where her remains were placed after her death.

The long-serving Southport councillor said it would function well in concert with the council’s plans to build a series of giant pyramids off The Spit to create an underwater dive site.

The Neptune Memorial Reef was created in 2007 and sits 5km off the coast of Key Biscayne, Florida, at a depth of 12m.

The memorial’s welcome feature. Picture: Neptune Memorial Reef

It will eventually be able to hold more than 125,000 remains.

Cremated remains are mixed with cement to form parts of structures, with plaques added.

Mayor Tom Tate is supportive of the general concept but was keen to see it created off the Spit.

“It’s the ultimate ‘green burial’ in my view,” he said in a statement on Monday.

He told the Gold Coast Bulletin: “I disagree with Cr Crichlow’s idea. We should be dredging the Broadwater, not putting things into it.”

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A memorial stone. Picture: Neptune Memorial Reef

A growing shortage of space in Gold Coast cemeteries has been a concern for a decade.

The council recently bought more land that could be used as a cemetery, while a 2017 report revealed existing quarries and wasteland could be used to expand the number of available burial plots.

A bench which has become a fish habitat Picture: Neptune Memorial Reef