CEMETERIES are a special place within our community. It is the final resting place for loved ones and a sanctuary to memorialise those who have passed on and provide an important historical and genealogical link.
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Moree Plains Shire Council takes great pride in preserving the dignity of the area and maintaining the grounds for family and friends of the dearly departed, so we do regular clean ups to remove deteriorated flowers.
You may also notice the kangaroos lazing on the lawns or rabbits scampering across the grounds; inadvertently, they may knock over ornaments or disturb arrangements when they forage for green grass.
So to keep visitors and our animal friends safe and maintain the space, we need your help to care for the cemetery.
Council’s Engineering Support Manager Fiona McClymont explained non-conforming memorials or tributes not confined to the plot or concrete bollards become an issue aesthetically and can be a hazard to visitors, animals and difficult to undertake ground maintenance.
“Oversized monuments and additional tributes such as large mementos, breakable ornaments, pots and vases and items that are not within the confines of the plot or on concrete bollard are difficult to care for and maintain; and they can become issue with surrounding or neighbouring plots.
“It is heart-breaking when Council receives reports from family members that items have been broken either through adverse weather conditions, such as strong winds; vandalism or through accident.”
“We also have issues with inappropriate or oversized tributes disturbing the flow of the lawn cemetery or encroaching on the surrounding area or neighbouring plots, and Council ends up arbitrating with plot owners.”
For these reasons, Council is currently advertising its guidelines for plaques, flowers and ornaments at gravesides at all Lawn Cemeteries in the Shire http://www.mpsc.nsw.gov.au/hot-topics/submissions-and-public-notices and welcomes comments from community by 4pm Wednesday, 27 June 2018 through the General Manager, Moree Plains Shire Council, PO Box 420, Moree NSW 2400 or email to speakupmoree@mpsc.nsw.gov.au.
The advertised policy should be read in conjunction with the Cemetery Plaque and Ornaments Procedures and Guidelines http://www.mpsc.nsw.gov.au/index.php/hot-topics/docman/policies/927-cemetery-plaque-and-ornaments-procedures/file.
