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Community Survey - Future of Cemetery Services

    Overview

  • Q.1

    Have you read the project information and factsheet? (Optional)

    If not - you can read information on the project page or download the fact sheet to help you in answering the survey.

    Yes
    No

    • Community Values and Identity

    This section explores how cemetery and memorial spaces connect to your personal, cultural, or community identity. Your answers will help us understand what meaning these spaces hold and how important they are to our community.

  • Q.2

    What role do burial or memorial spaces play for you in our community?

    *
    (Maximum selection Limit : 3)
    Please choose up to three responses.
    Cultural and religious traditions
    Family connection and belonging
    A place for reflection and remembrance
    Historical / heritage significance
    Community identity
    I don’t feel a connection
    Other (please specify)
  • Q.3

    How important are the following factors to you when considering the future of cemetery and memorial services? 

    *
    if there are "other" options you would like to suggest - please outline in the other comments question for this section - Q5.
    Very Important Important Unsure / No opinion Low Importance Not Important to me
    Respecting family, cultural, religious or community traditions
     
     
     
     
     
    Accessibility and fairness across the region
     
     
     
     
     
    Transport and travel (i.e proximity to home)
     
     
     
     
     
    Affordability and cost to families
     
     
     
     
     
    Environmental impacts and land use
     
     
     
     
     
    Long-term capacity and future population needs
     
     
     
     
     
    Preference for traditional burial services
     
     
     
     
     
    Flexibility and choice in types of burial or memorial options available
     
     
     
     
     
  • Q.4

    Do you currently visit any cemetery or memorial spaces in your area?

    *
    Regularly - atleast once a month
    Occasionally - a few times a year (e.g. quarterly or for specific events/anniversaries)
    Sometimes - once or twice a year
    Rarely - maybe once a year
    Never
  • Q.5

    Do you have any further comments in relation to community values, identity and priorities? (Optional)


    Character Limit : 500
    500 characters - approximately 80-100 words

    • Accessibility and Equity

    We want to better understand how access to cemetery and memorial services impacts our diverse communities. This section focuses on fairness, travel, affordability, and any barriers people may face in using these services.

  • Q.6

    Would you and your family support or oppose utilising a regional facility for cemetery and memorial services located in Marybrough, if space was not available in Hervey Bay?

    *
    Strongly Oppose
    Oppose
    Neutral / No Opinion
    Support
    Strongly Support
  • Q.7

    Do you have any further comments in relation to accessibility and equity of burial and memorial services? (Optional)


    Character Limit : 500
    500 characters - 80-100 words approximately

    • Cost, Sustainability and Expectations

    Delivering cemetery and memorial services involves long-term investment and land use decisions. This section asks about your willingness to support various funding options and the priorities that matter most when weighing costs and community needs.

  • Q.8

    How would you rate your willingness to support investment in a new local cemetery within the Hervey Bay area?

    *
    Support – community identity and access are worth the cost
    Somewhat support – depending on costs and trade-offs
    Neutral/ Unsure
    Somewhat oppose - prefer investment in existing regional cemeteries
    Oppose - prefer to see Council work with private providers or seek alternative options
    Other (please specify)
  • Q.9

    Which of the following should Council prioritise when making decisions about cemetery and memorial services?

    *
    (Maximum selection Limit : 3)
    (Select up to 3 options)
    Local access to services
    Long-term cost savings
    Protecting environment incl. bushland and farmland
    Honouring cultural and spiritual needs
    Keeping services affordable
    Exploring non-traditional or alternative options
    Other (please specify)
  • Q.10

    How do you weigh the cost of building a new cemetery against community values and priorities?

    We want to know which is more important to you, particularly in relation to traditional burial services.

    1. The importance of a local accessible facility or

    2. The cost and financial impact to the community.

    *
    I believe a new cemetery, in Hervey Bay, is worth the investment to support local access and community values
    I support a new cemetery, in Hervey Bay, only if it is affordable and does not impact other essential services
    I would prefer investment in lower-cost alternatives or improvements to existing cemeteries
    I’m unsure at this time
    Other (please specify)
  • Q.11

    Do you have any further comments in relation to cost, sustainability and expectations? (Optional)


    Character Limit : 500
    500 characters - 80-100 words approximately.

    • Options / Preferences

    Based on the information provided, this section asks you to consider what direction Council should take. It also explores the reasons behind your preferences and what influenced your decision most.

  • Q.12

    Which option do you support the most?

    *
    Build a new local cemetery in Hervey Bay
    Expand and improve access to existing cemeteries like Maryborough, which has long-term capacity
    Expand options like, natural burials, memorial gardens or ashes internment
    Explore options for private providers to deliver new cemetery services
    A combination of the above to meet the region's needs
    Other (please specify)
  • Q.13

    What influenced your decision the most when selecting your preferred option above?

    *
    (Maximum selection Limit : 3)
    (Please select up to 3 options)
    Environmental concerns (e.g. sustainability, land use, bushland protection)
    Community values and identity (e.g. cultural, spiritual, family traditions)
    Cost and financial considerations (e.g. affordability, long-term cost to community)
    Accessibility and equity (e.g. transport, geographic distribution, fairness)
    Desire for alternative options (e.g. cremation, natural burial, memorial gardens)
    Long-term planning for future generations
    Other (please specify)
  • Q.14

    Would you like to provide any further comments in relation to the future of burial and memorial options on the Fraser Coast? (Optional)

    *
    Character Limit : 500
    Please note 500 character limit - 80-100 words (approximately).

    • Other Memorial Options

    Traditional burial options are not the only memorial services available to the community. This section explores your views on ashes interments, memorial gardens and natural burials - and how Council can help people make informed choices. (Are there other alternatives we aren't considering?).

  • Q.15

    Would you consider or support any of the following burial or memorial options?

    *
    (Maximum selection Limit : 5)
    Please choose all that apply to you.
    Ashes interment (walled niche)
    Memorial gardens for ashes
    Natural burial or eco-burials
    Digital/ virtual memorial spaces (i.e digital memorials can take various forms, including dedicated websites or platforms where people can share photos, videos, stories, and messages about their loved ones)
    No - I prefer traditional burial
    Other (please specify)
  • Q.16

    How should Council support people in choosing and accessing these alternatives?

    *
    (Maximum selection Limit : 4)
    Please choose as many options that apply to you.
    Education and awareness campaigns
    Partnerships with providers
    Investment in natural/memorial gardens
    No support needed
    Other (please specify)
  • Q.17

    Do you have any further comments in relation to alternative memorial options? (Optional)


    Character Limit : 500
    500 characters - 80-100 words approximately.

    • Planning for the Future - Visioning

    This section invites you to imagine the future of burial and memorial spaces in our region. What should they look and feel like? What will future generations value most? Your reflections will shape our long-term planning.

  • Q.18

    In 30 years, what do you think future generations will value most about these spaces? (Optional)


    Character Limit : 500
    500 characters - approximately 80-100 words
  • Q.19

    How could memorial spaces better serve the needs of our community in the future? (Optional)


    Character Limit : 500
    500 Characters - approximately 80-100 words
  • Q.20

    What should cemetery and memorial spaces of the future look like? (Optional)


    Character Limit : 500
    500 Characters - approximately 80-100 words

    • All About You

  • Q.21

    Locality/ Suburb

  • Q.22

    Age

    15 - 25
    26 - 40
    41 - 55
    56 - 70
    71 and Over
  • Q.23

    Gender

    Male
    Female
    Prefer not to say
    Prefer to self describe (please specify)
  • Q.24

    Do you identify with a cultural, spiritual, or religious group that informs your preferences?

    Prefer not to say
    No
    Yes - (Please specify)
  • Q.25

    Do you have a community or business connection to cemetery and memorial services?


    (Maximum selection Limit : 4)
    Please select all that apply to you.
    Yes – religious or spiritual leader (e.g. minister, celebrant)
    Yes – local business (e.g. florist, stonemason, funeral services)
    Yes – volunteer or community role (e.g. heritage, maintenance, local history)
    No
    Other (please specify)
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