Mildura Rural City Council is offering an opportunity next week for residents unable to visit loved ones at the Nichols Point Cemetery due to its closure to provide flowers that cemetery staff will place at gravesites.
Mildura Cemeteries Trust staff will be at the Nichols Point Scout Hall on Thursday, 22 December from 5pm – 7pm to recieve flowers from residents, which will be taken to the cemetery and respectfully placed on relatives' or friends' grave sites.
It will also be a chance to speak directly to cemetery staff to seek further information about the temporary closure. Support information will also be available for residents who need it.
For those unable to leave flowers next Thursday, alternative arrangements can be made by calling the Mildura Cemeteries Trust on 5018 8202.
Access to the cemetery has been temporarily closed to both pedestrians and motorists due to the flood risk on roads leading to the site – the cemetery itself is not at risk of inundation and is being maintained by Mildura Cemeteries Trust staff.
Funerals are going ahead in consultation with local funeral directors, and subject to limited numbers.
Mildura Mayor Liam Wood said he sympathised with residents' need to visit loved ones who've passed away, particularly in the lead up to Christmas.
"We certainly recognise the comfort it can bring to be able to visit the sites of loved ones at our cemeteries, however given the challenges posed by the current flood event, we're in the unfortunate position of needing to balance this with ensuring public safety," Cr Wood said.
"While the Nichols Point Cemetery itself is secure and not at risk of inundation, road access to the cemetery is either very unsafe, or poses a risk to the integrity of nearby levees protecting our community, leaving us with no option but to close these roads.
"The surrounding flooding is also leading to a significant increase in reports of snakes and other wildlife at the cemetery, which is another safety concern."
Residents are reminded to take note of any traffic direction, including road closure signage, in flood affected areas.
"Closure of local roads, including Karadoc Avenue leading to the Nichols Point Cemetery, is done for a very good reason, and in consultation with experts in the flood response effort," Cr Wood said.
"These decisions are made to protect our community.
"Yes, it might be inconvenient not being able to access certain roads at the moment, but people who are ignoring these road closures are putting not only themselves at risk, but the properties and residents who live nearby, which I know is something local residents in these areas are very much aware of."
