Centenary Memorial Gardens in Sumner seeks approval for major expansion

The grim prospect of coffins surfacing and contaminants from decomposing bodies seeping into the water table during floods is being considered amid plans from a Brisbane cemetery for its biggest expandsion in 20 years.

The government has been asked to decide if a Brisbane cemetery can go ahead with plans for its biggest expansion in two decades, including burials below the flood height.

Public consultation closes next week on plans by Centenary Memorial Gardens (CMG) in Sumner for a new chapel, cafe and catering area, terraced Asian lotus garden based on feng shui design principles and an open-air pavilion with a capacity of 200 people.

But it is the plans to expand burials into lower-lying parts of the 16.5ha property at Wacol Station Rd that could be the sticking point.

The existing burial zone is 8.8m above sea level, higher than the flood level on the sloping site near floodprone Wolston Creek.

That level was conditioned by the Planning and Environment Court in 2000 just before the facility opened, based on the Q10 level — a one-in-10 risk of a flood every year.

CMG has now applied to the Department of State Development to expand into lower areas.

Artist's impression of how part of the expanded facility could look.

“To achieve CMG’s vision for the site … a clear determination (is needed) of the extent of the site able to be used for the interment of the deceased and, more specifically, the lowest acceptable invert level for burials below the existing mapped waterway corridor,’’ planners Urban Strategies said in the application.

It said that the 2000 court approval appeared to be based on avoiding the “perceived possibility of leaching of contaminants from decomposing bodies into the water table and buoyancy effects of coffins being pushed to the surface during flood events’’.

Water in “normal’’ flooding over the site reached a height of 6.8-7.5m, it said.

“Following lengthy investigations of the site’s geological circumstances and the existing impacts of the use on the water quality of Wolston Creek, it has been determined that a greater proportion of the site may be suitable for burials and the interment of cremated remains,’’ Urban Strategies’ report said.

“A new minimum grave invert level of 5.16m should be applied to the site.

The open-plan pavilion will cater for up to 200 people.

“Beyond the specified extent of burials, the development plan indicates a further portion of the site, closer to Wolston Creek, that may be suitable for landscaping and the interment of cremated remains only.’’

It said the proposal also took into account triple burials, where caskets were placed on top of each other.

The first stage of the expansion would be above flood levels and later stages would involve “compensatory’’ earthworks.

A Core Consultants groundwater report found no leaching from existing burial sites into Wolston Creek.

Flooding is an issue in many other low-lying cemeteries across Queensland, including in Townsville and Karumba in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Brisbane City Council said in a submission in 2023 that it was opposed to CMG seeking approval from the government, rather than going through the normal town planning procedures.

Council said it should have the ability to place conditions on noise, light, traffic, hours of operation and other impacts including removal of trees in biodiversity areas.

The chapel area at the site.

But the Urban Strategies report said only 17 scattered native trees, 11 of them mature koala habitat, would be removed.

The pavilion would be made from sustainable materials, blend in with the contours of the site and was 225m from the nearest house.

It pointed out that space was running out in Brisbane’s other cemeteries and crematoria as the population increased and also aged.

CMG, which conducts Christmas carols, fireworks, Mother’s Day memorials and other events at its site, said it would be considerate of noise and light impacts.

The 2000 court ruling placed strict rules on air quality impacts of the two cremators. There were no plans to change operation of them, it said.

Centenary Memorial Gardens at Sumner plans to expand.

“CMG’s vision is to continue to transform the site into a place of solace, reflection and everlasting beauty that preserves and celebrates the locality’s environmental significance, while also providing an enduring resting place that spans generations,’’ Urban Strategies said.

“The CMG team is committed to serving the community by providing a final resting place in the form of burial spaces and ash memorialisation, within a space of beauty and reflection.’’

Nearby residents letterboxed in the initial consultation in 2023 were split, with some saying they had loved ones at the facility and had experienced no noise or other problems.

But one local disagreed, despite the saying that the dead make the best neighbours.

“The peace and enjoyment of my property is already regularly interrupted by fireworks as well as noisy functions and celebrations,’’ she wrote in her submission.

“The celebrations that are currently held in your (CMG’s) gardens, day and night, include bands/singing that is heard from my home when I have windows and doors closed.

“If I had wanted the peace and enjoyment of my home interrupted further I would have built my home beside a pub.’’

Urban strategies said the facility was currently open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, with only occasional 8am or twilight services. Weekend services were held only as required.

“During remembrance events, crowd and amplified noise is largely contained within existing enclosed buildings, although open air gatherings do sometimes occur,’’ it said.

“CMG is acutely aware of the need to maintain the amenity of the site for both visitors and nearby residential uses.

“They have confirmed that noise management is an operational priority.’’

The site is one of only two privately owned cemeteries and three privately owned crematoria located in Brisbane. Council manages 12 cemeteries and three crematoria.

Originally published as Centenary Memorial Gardens in Sumner seeks approval for major expansion