Have your say on district’s cemeteries

• Published date: 23 June 2022
• Publication title: Te Awamutu Courier

Residents are taking up the opportunity to have their say on how the districts cemeteries can be improved

The feedback is being driven by Waipā cemeteries nearing capacity, with most of the district’s cemeteries expected to be full by 2048. But the council says no-one need be concerned as early planning is already under way to make sure plenty of capacity is available despite the district’s increasing population.

By law, all councils must provide land for burials and internment, in a way that is affordable for residents and in line with community expectations.

Community services manager Brad Ward said it is great to see our community having their say in the future of our cemeteries. The feedback we have received in the past week and a half will be extremely important in the planning process for the future of the district’s cemeteries.

“We have seen a diverse range in the survey results we have gotten back so far, residents of all ages and spread across the district. It is awesome to see the feedback coming in for our smaller cemeteries, as well as our larger more popular cemeteries.”

With the average number of Waipā burials increasing from 200 per year to 450 by 2043 due to an increasing and ageing population, planning is under way now to make sure choices are available.

“The Te Awamutu cemetery is likely to reach capacity between 2028-2033, and Hautapu and Pāterangi cemeteries between 2033-2038. This will put pressure on our other cemeteries which can absorb the overflow for a few years. But the Kihikihi and Leamington cemeteries will also reach capacity by 2043-2048.”. “Given that, we’re planning now by preparing...