Future of Cemetery Services

Council is seeking early community input to understand how we should plan for future cemetery and memorial services—balancing regional access, affordability, sustainability, and cultural needs. We are planning ahead to ensure services continue to meet the needs of a growing and changing community. While there is still space available at Hervey Bay’s Polson Cemetery for burials, the site cannot be expanded further due to its location. Maryborough Cemetery has significant long-term capacity, with enough land available for burials for hundreds of years at current rates. This early engagement will help inform future decision making.

Council is exploring a range of options, including:

• Establishing a new cemetery in Hervey Bay
• Utilising the capacity at Maryborough Cemetery as a regional facility
• Expanding alternative options such as cremation, natural burials, and memorial gardens
• Working with private providers to deliver cemetery services
• A combination of the above

Community feedback will help identify which approaches best reflect the region’s values and priorities.

No. This is a genuine community conversation. No decision has been made. Council is committed to listening to community feedback before proceeding with any formal proposals.

All feedback will be analysed and compiled into an Engagement Report, which will be presented to Council. The report will inform future decision-making and be shared publicly via the Engagement Hub and other channels.

You can get involved in several ways:

• Complete the online survey or a printed version
• Attend a community drop-in session
• Share your thoughts via the Engagement Hub

Polson Cemetery is constrained by surrounding land use, environmental considerations, and limited available space. Expansion is not currently viable due to these physical limitations. That’s why we are planning early and alternative options are being explored.

A new cemetery in Hervey Bay would require:

• Upfront costs of approximately $8 million, including land acquisition, planning, infrastructure, and facilities
• Annual operating costs of $157,200
• An estimated 63-year payback period, assuming average annual revenue of $285,000

These costs are in addition to current costs. Community views on affordability and willingness to invest in a new facility are essential to the decision-making process.

If there is strong community support for a new cemetery, Council will consider the next steps, including feasibility studies, site investigations, funding models etc. This is an early conversation, no decisions have been made at this stage.

Existing cemeteries will continue to be maintained and operated by Council. The current engagement is focused on future planning, not changes to current services.

Yes. Maryborough Cemetery has significant capacity—up to 120,000 burial plots—equating to more than 500 years of service at current burial rates. However, accessibility, family connection, and cultural expectations are important factors. This engagement aims to understand whether using Maryborough is acceptable to Hervey Bay residents or if a local option is still preferred.

No. While Polson Cemetery can’t be expanded further due to physical limitations, future planning may affect residents across the Fraser Coast. Everyone is encouraged to share their views—whether you live in Hervey Bay Maryborough, Howard, Tiaro, or other Fraser Coast communities.

Yes, memorialisation and ashes interments will continue to be available at Polson Cemetery for the long term—well into the next 100 years. While the site cannot be expanded further due to its location, there is still availability for burials at this time, and cremation-related services will remain an ongoing option.

The engagement seeks feedback on a wide range of preferences, including ashes interment, natural burial, memorial gardens, and non-traditional approaches. Your input will help ensure that future services reflect evolving community expectations, not just traditional burial needs.

Yes, natural burials are available at the Nikenbah Natural Cemetery - Queensland’s first natural burial site established on Council-owned land. The cemetery offers eco-conscious burial options. The cemetery supports both sustainability and regeneration of the natural environment.

Yes. The engagement includes discussion of natural burials, ashes memorialisation, and reduced-impact interment options. Environmental and land use implications will also be considered, particularly in relation to bushland, farmland, and urban growth.

Absolutely. Council acknowledges that burial and memorial practices are deeply personal and often linked to spiritual, cultural, and community identity. Engagement activities are specifically seeking input from indigenous representatives, faith groups, multicultural organisations, and culturally diverse communities to ensure their views are a part of the feedback process.

Yes. One option under consideration is enabling private providers to establish and manage cemetery services within the region. Community feedback will help Council understand community support for this approach and any expectations around service quality, affordability, and oversight.