Published on 19 July 2024
The Northern Grampians Shire Council has commenced its much-anticipated Stawell Cemetery Expansion Project which will continue over the next few years.
“The expansion, a new lawn cemetery, is crucial to Stawell. The existing lawn cemetery will be at capacity in the next three years with the expanded cemetery providing more than 5,500 additional plots ensuring the community's burial needs are met for the next century,” explained Mayor of Northern Grampians Shire Council, Councillor Haswell.
The Cemetery Expansion Project is fully funded by council with a total budget of $550,000 that will be allocated over several years.
Now in the construction phase, work currently carried out by council staff include earthworks and the removal of native trees which will be replaced by more infrastructure-friendly species.
Stage two will involve constructing the roads, footpath, and continuing with road infrastructure development.
The expanded cemetery is expected to include new rose gardens, an open space area, new fencing, and additional access and exit areas, as well as the new roads and footpaths including a road linking the old and new cemeteries.
While works are in progress, community members can continue to access the current cemetery.