Sunshine Coast Council endorses Kulangoor Cemetery plans

A huge overhaul to a Queensland cemetery has been revealed after a council survey asked residents if they would use a multipurpose space for weddings and music events.

The Kulangoor cemetery.

A huge overhaul to a Queensland cemetery has been revealed, with a council survey asking residents if they would use a multipurpose space that could hold weddings and music events.

The Sunshine Coast Council was presented with the Kulangoor Cemetery Master Plan at the ordinary meeting on Thursday, December 12.

The master plan described the cemetery on Ackerman Rd as offering a “unique landscape” to the community.

“(It) not only provides a beautiful, restful, and functional place of interment, but also provides a highly valuable resource in terms of its ability to contribute to the local and regional open space network,” the master plan stated.

The overhaul to the site would include a cafe, florist and new play space for kids, with mix-use areas to reflect the community’s changing attitudes to cemeteries.

According to the plan presented to the council, 43 per cent of survey respondents said they would consider holding functions in the Kulangoor Cemetery, such as weddings and music festivals, if an amphitheatre was provided.

An amphitheatre was flagged for the site but was later replaced with lawn terraces with an ash wall and reflection seating.

A council spokeswoman said no weddings would be held in the cemetery.

The Kulangoor Cemetery master plan will use more of the natural landscape.

Another precinct would undergo landscaping to create a series of “rooms” and public recreation areas.

“This largely undeveloped precinct will provide a series of landscape ‘rooms’ which take advantage of the gentle slopes which fall away from the central ridge to the west,” the master plan stated.

“Providing multi-denominational graves and a mausoleum, the pathway network in combination with selected avenue and amenity plantings provides improved legibility and includes a small passive recreation area and shelter structure nestled amongst existing trees.”

The plan would also allow for 35 years of burial sites, as well as provisions for “natural burials” in the future.

The master plan comes after the Caloundra Cemetery was closed to adult burials after reaching capacity in June this year.

Councillor Winston Johnston was the only councillor who voted against the master plan, citing concerns the site could potentially open a crematorium in the future.

Ultimately the motion was passed.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Council endorses Kulangoor Cemetery plans