The Sunshine Coast is one of Australia's fastest growing regions, with an expected population of more than 500,000 residents by 2041, and with this rapid population growth comes increased demand for cemetery services.
At its ordinary meeting today (September 19) council endorsed the Sunshine Coast Cemetery Plan 2019-2028 which will guide council's cemetery network over the next ten years, addressing key challenges and opportunities and ensuring ongoing service excellence and service provision to the Sunshine Coast community.
Community portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said the new cemetery plan aimed to provide services that considered the community's evolving needs and preferences.
"As our Sunshine Coast community continues to grow, so too do their needs and choices when considering cemetery services," Cr McKay said.
"Our cemeteries need to provide meaningful places and services that support the community's needs.
"During consultation, it became evident that the community entrusts council to conserve and provide cemetery practices that protect the environmental, social, historical, cultural and personal values of the Sunshine Coast.
"It's important that we recognise the diversity of the Sunshine Coast and provide people with a place where they feel connected and where they can have confidence that their personal, religious or cultural beliefs will be honoured when they are laid to rest.
"All of these considerations have been incorporated into the new cemetery plan."
The Sunshine Coast Cemetery Plan 2019-2028 identifies four guiding principles - respectful, inclusive, sustainable and responsive – and outlines the needs and considerations of the community and the cemetery network moving forward.
The plan directs the exploration of innovative and creative solutions and technologies and guides and encourages partnerships with our community to strengthen the connection between people and place.
Delivery of the actions within the plan will be continually monitored and evaluated, allowing council to be responsive to future challenges and changing community needs.
When developing the updated plan, council conducted internal, councillor, targeted industry and community consultation between December 2018 and June 2019.
The Sunshine Coast Cemetery Plan 2012-2027 was adopted by council in July 2012, with a review to be undertaken in 2018-19. The new Sunshine Coast Cemetery Plan 2019-2028 replaces the Sunshine Coast Cemetery Plan 2012-2027.
View a copy of the Sunshine Coast Cemetery Plan 2019-2028
