THE Redlands community will be invited to give their feedback on proposed changes to cemetery laws.
The proposed changes will place stricter requirements on gravediggers, cemetery operators and funeral directors.
Cr Tracey Huges said it was vital the community was consulted on such an issue.
“This is such a sensitive and important topic. We’re only at stage one, and there is still a long way to go.
“I’d like to give a big shout-out to our cemeteries team – they are truly spectacular in their compassion and the way they support people at their most vulnerable,” she said.
“This now goes out for community consultation, and we look forward to hearing the community’s response. Thank you.”
The new draft measures provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for managing everything from burial records and grave dimensions to hours of operation and exhumation procedures.
Under the proposed updated laws, cemetery operators must maintain detailed site plans, provide Council with access to burial records on request, and ensure identifying plaques are placed at every burial site until a permanent memorial is installed.
Exhumations and the reopening of graves will be strictly controlled – permitted only with Coroners Court approval and separate Council authorisation.
Operators of private cemeteries must also obtain written consent from landowners before submitting applications, while local government-run cemeteries will remain subject to internal oversight.
The laws are aimed at preventing harm to public health, minimising nuisance and maintaining amenity.
Approvals to operate a cemetery or handle human remains will only be granted if applicants meet a range of conditions, including appropriate administration and insurance coverage.
One change is the Council’s authority to set cemetery opening hours, burial times, grave site locations, and the number of bodies permitted per grave.
The proposed amendments come amid growing public scrutiny of cemetery practices across the state and increased calls for transparency.
Public consultation on the changes will run from June 4-25.
