Sunshine Coast Council review cemetery plan as graveyards fill up

As the region’s population continues to balloon the Sunshine Coast Council has kicked off an urgent review into cemetery planning as a side effect of the growth emerges.

At least two Sunshine Coast cemeteries are nearing capacity with population growth expected to reach over 400,000 by 2028. Photo: John McCutcheon

A population boom on the Sunshine Coast has had an unusual side effect, as cemeteries across the region start to ‘fill up’ as demand for burials continues to rise.

A mass migration to the region fuelled by Covid, as well as forecast long-term population growth has piled pressure on cemeteries across the region, sparking an urgent review.

Sunshine Coast Council’s Cemetery Plan 2019 - 2028 highlighted that existing cemeteries throughout the Sunshine Coast were diminishing in capacity, with the cemeteries at Caloundra and Mooloolah nearly full.

The Sunshine Coast Council maintains 18 cemeteries, covering more than 60ha, with Kulangoor Cemetery being the largest.

A Sunshine Coast Council spokeswoman said they would be seeking feedback from the community in the first half of 2023 for a review of the Kulangoor Cemetery Master Plan.

“The Sunshine Coast is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions with the more than 400,000 people expected to call the cost home by 2028,” she said.

“With this rapid population growth, comes an increased demand for cemetery services that balance the social, environmental, affordability and cultural needs of the community.”

Mooloolah cemetery is one of the cemeteries on the Sunshine Coast nearing capacity. Photo: Nicholas Falconer

The spokeswoman said council was also investigating options in the southern Sunshine Coast for cemetery use.

“And work has commenced within the existing cemetery network to identify any unused space to cater for the projected population growth and demand on council’s cemetery services,” she said.

Gregson and Weight Funeral Directors general manager Luke Gregson said most people were opting for cremations nowadays.

“We’re still doing burials in Caloundra cemetery,” he said.

“My observation is that there doesn't seem to be many graves left but they are creating new areas so that’s positive.

“But it's not unexpected, the cemeteries will fill up one day.”

The council spokeswoman said a review of Caloundra cemetery was also underway with hopes to identify any unused space.

“Minor work is planned to commence by June 2023, to extend the capacity of the Caloundra Cemetery for the next two years, while the broader review to identify further capacity is performed extending accessibility for the community,” she said.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Council review cemetery plan as graveyards fill up