Fraser Coast council to seek feedback on new Hervey Bay cemetery

Tough end of life choices are underway for Fraser Coast residents and its council thanks to a cemetery that is rapidly running out of space and a solution carrying a multimillion-dollar price tag.

Polson cemetery, Point Vernon. Photo: Alistair Brightman / Fraser Coast Chronicle

Tough questions are being asked of the Fraser Coast public, including whether to spend $8 million on a new cemetery for Hervey Bay when Polson Cemetery is full.

Public consultation is currently underway regarding the future of burials on the Fraser Coast, with one of the options seeming to be forgoing a cemetery in Hervey Bay and turning to Maryborough, which is not due to run out of space for 300 years.

“Polson Cemetery in Point Vernon is expected to reach full capacity within the next six to eight years and cannot be expanded due to site constraints,” a council spokeswoman said.

“In response, Fraser Coast Regional Council has launched a community consultation to explore future options for burial and memorial services.

“Alternatives being considered include developing a new cemetery in Hervey Bay – at an estimated cost of more than $8 million – expanding existing sites, partnering with private providers, or increasing the use of Maryborough Cemetery, which has significant capacity remaining.

“Through this consultation, residents can share their views on whether future burials should take place in Maryborough once Polson reaches capacity, or if a new burial site should be established in Hervey Bay.

“While Council does not publish exact burial numbers or available plot data for Polson Cemetery, ashes interments and memorialisation will continue to be available at the site even after full burial capacity is reached.”

The Fraser Coast Regional Council is now seeking feedback on new ideas for burial and memorial services.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the council was planning ahead to ensure services continue to meet the needs of a growing and changing community.

“We’re starting a conversation with our community to understand what matters most when it comes to burial and memorial options,” Mr Seymour said.

“Many people have strong personal, cultural or spiritual beliefs about how we remember loved ones, and we want to make sure those values are respected as we plan for the future.”

The consultation period with the community comes 13 months after Fraser Coast councillor Denis Chapman revealed in a since-deleted social media post that the Polson Cemetery had only five years left before it was full.

Polson Cemetery, Point Vernon. Photo: Alistair Brightman / Fraser Coast Chronicle

Last year, Mr Chapman said the options for the region were buying more land in Hervey Bay or using Maryborough Cemetery, which has hundreds of years of spaces left at its current rate according to the council.

There is still space available at Polson Cemetery, but the site cannot be expanded due to its location.

“These are deeply personal decisions,” Cr Seymour said.

“Community feedback will help guide future decisions and ensure services are accessible, affordable and suited to the people who live here.”

Community consultation will run until July 21, with residents able to share their views through face-to-face drop-in sessions and an online survey, while printed surveys will also be available at libraries and customer service centres.

Originally published as Fraser Coast council to seek feedback on new Hervey Bay cemetery