Design work is progressing for the future Southern Memorial Park which will create a new place for families on Canberra's Southside to bury and commemorate their loved ones.
Early designs have now been released for the community to provide feedback.
"As Canberra continues to grow we need to ensure that that we have cemetery and crematoria facilities that will meet the city's needs for the next 100 years," Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said.
"The Government has been undertaking detailed environmental studies and a staging plan for the development for the new Memorial Park to be ready for consultation with the community."
The staging designs have been informed by the previous Master Plan, with revisions of the Master Plan taking into account further due diligence work on the site with a proposed number of access points including a signalised intersection at the main access on Mugga Lane for safe entry and exit.
"Stage 1 is planned to include the basic infrastructure to establish the Memorial Park including a road access point from Mugga Lane, preparation for future wetlands, car parking, landscaping and the first burial plots. The Government will also explore our capacity to deliver some natural burials as part of the first stage," Minister Steel said.
Key planned features of the future Southern Memorial Park stages include a variety of burial and memorial areas; a main visitor facility with memorial halls, function rooms, hospitality facilities, florist and crematorium; and further landscaping that is consistent with the native surroundings.
"Southern Memorial Park is proposed to be a full-service cemetery set in a natural grassy woodland landscape and is planned to have focus on natural burials, as well providing space for traditional burials," Minister Steel said.
"The Government has recently undertaken an extensive review of cemeteries and crematoria in the ACT and this is also informing the design of Southern Memorial Park which will cater for our diverse community.
"Community consultation has commenced today and we'll be asking for feedback on features that should be included in the plans such public art, walking and cycling trails, nature play areas for children and landscaping design.
"We want Southern Memorial Park to be a space where families, friends and loved ones can gather together to share memories in a beautiful natural bush setting."
The community is invited to provide feedback on the designs by visiting www.yoursay.act.gov.au
Consultation commences today, 14 April 2021 and ends 7 June 2021.
To access the artists designs please visit: https://www.flickr.com/gp/tamsmediaroom/h4167w
