We're inviting residents to share their thoughts about the Wollongong Cemetery Grasslands trial.
Key points:
- Council has been trialing a new approach to maintenance by planting native grasses in the cemetery.
- The use of native grasses can cultivate many environmental and biodiversity benefits and sustainable care methods .
- We're looking to expand the project to other parts of the cemetery and potentally other locations.
- Residents are invited to share their feedback before 4 September 2026.
A trial using native plantings for maintenance at one of our cemeteries is showing positive signs, and we'd like to know if locals would support Council branching out with this approach to other locations.
In October 2025, Wollongong Memorial Gardens began trialling a different way to maintain our cemeteries by planting locally native grassland and groundcover species in a selected area at Wollongong Cemetery.
Inspired by the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust's Project Cultivate , the use of native grasses can cultivate many environmental and biodiversity benefits such as healthier soils, reduced herbicide use, increased habitat for birds and insects, and improved climate resilience.
It can also result in more sustainable care methods of the grounds such as reduced mowing, targeted weed management, monitoring of plant health, and ecological maintenance practices.
With early positive outcomes at Wollongong Cemetery, we're proposing to expand the project to other parts of the cemetery and potentially at other cemeteries in the Wollongong region.
"The grassland trial has been a great opportunity to see how we can increase our native vegetation and greenery in urban areas and combat climate change," Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.
"We've been able to see how this trial can complement the cemetery landscape and our operations, while respecting the cemetery's role as a sacred space of remembrance. There's lots of potential for it to be a low-cost sustainable practice that can give back to our community and local habitats in more ways than one.
"Our staff continued to take the utmost care during this process at Wollongong Cemetery, with around 600 native plantings taking root so far and have been supported by many wonderful locals.
"Thank you to everyone who has lent a hand in this environmental initiative as part of the Friends Plot volunteer group and have cared for the dedicated area within the trial.
"I encourage residents to keep talking to us about this trial and share your thoughts by filling out our short survey. Every feedback helps refine the trial and ensures any future expansion benefits our cemeteries, community and natural environment."
Engagement is open until Friday 4 September 2026.
