The Wattle Range Council has lifted the ban on placing beer cans and other alcohol containers as memorials at graves across its seven cemeteries. This decision comes after an eight-month period of restrictions that began following a staff report presented during the council’s April meeting in Millicent. The previous policy had not been updated for over a decade, prompting the council to endorse a series of changes with minimal discussion.
Policy Changes and Community Impact
The revised cemeteries policy, adopted during the council’s December meeting, eliminated the clause that prohibited the placement of alcohol containers as memorials. The policy update received little commentary from council members at the time. Councillor John Drew reiterated his earlier concerns regarding the appropriate placement of mausoleums, emphasizing the need for respect in grave memorialization.
During the same meeting, Councillor Dale Price raised questions about the requirement for funeral directors to provide ten days’ notice to the council when requesting a grave. He expressed concern that this could prolong the grieving process for families. In response, Deputy Chief Executive Paul Duka assured attendees that such requests are managed with sensitivity and expedited whenever possible.
Specific Cemetery Considerations
Another point of discussion arose when Councillor Emma Castine inquired about the absence of references to the Penola East cemetery in the updated policy. Engineering Services Director Peter Halton clarified that no further burials can take place at this site due to rising water table issues. Chief Executive Ben Gower supported this statement, highlighting ongoing challenges related to the cemetery’s environmental conditions.
The revised policy reflects a broader effort by the Wattle Range Council to modernize its regulations governing cemeteries and memorials, responding to community feedback while addressing sensitive issues surrounding burial practices. As the council moves forward, the community will be watching how these changes are implemented and their impact on memorialization practices.
