Council’s cemeteries to undergo maintenance
Council's cemeteries to undergo maintenance
Maintenance works are currently being undertaken at Lockyer Valley Regional Council's cemeteries.
Council is currently renewing the concrete seam strips to improve the stability of headstones and cemetery maintenance at the Laidley Cemetery.
Lockyer Valley Parks, Gardens and Cemeteries Portfolio Councillor Janice Holstein said cemeteries are important community facilities and ensuring family and friends were safe while visiting and paying their respects was vital.
Council is very aware of community expectations for cemeteries to be well maintained and the works to upgrade headstone seam strips will make a huge difference both now and into the future.Many older headstones can sink and start to lean which present safety concerns, look untidy and make it harder for maintenance crews to do their job.Works are currently underway and will only impact areas within Section 2 of the cemetery, Cr Holstein said.Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the works were part of the Palaszczuk Government's $200 million COVID Works for Queensland program, which was supporting workforces in councils across the State.Through this program, the Council received $1.7 million for eight projects, including the cemeteries, which will support more than 40 jobs, he said.Council also received more than $3.5 million through the $50 million Unite and Recover Community Stimulus Package for nine projects, supporting more than 50 jobs.The pandemic the world is dealing with has had - and is having - significant health and economic effects across the globe and those effects are being felt right here in Queensland.However, we have a plan to get through it and that plan is squarely focused on jobs.Both these programs are part of the rolling out of that plan so communities, their economies and their workforces across the State continue to be supported.The works at Laidley will require the temporary removal of existing headstones while a new concrete strip is laid. Once completed, the headstones will then be returned. Small sections of graves may be inaccessible for around two weeks at a time while works are in process.The Gatton Cemetery will soon boast a new water bubbler, which will be located in front of the chapel.Seam strips are also earmarked for the Cemetery, as part of the facility's overall extension. Works are expected to commence early this month, with the bubbler to be installed by early October.The concrete seam strips will be installed in the new section of the Gatton Cemetery over the next few months, Cr Holstein said.The Project is funded by the Queensland Government, under the Works for Queensland Program (W4Q). Weather permitting, work is expected to be complete by mid-September in Laidley. The Gatton project is expected to be completed by April 2021. Anyone with concerns or seeking more information should contact Council on 1300 005 872.
