Ipswich City Council is seeking community input on the master plan for an extension and modernisation of one of Ipswich’s historic cemeteries.
The Stone Quarry Cemetery dates to 1875 and is the final resting place for many pioneers of the Rosewood, Ebenezer, Jeebropilly and Amberley districts with the first recorded burial in 1879.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said council has identified an opportunity to extend and modernise the cemetery to cater for future needs as the region continues to grow. Following a master-planning exercise, council is now seeking community feedback on the plans.
“We want to protect the heritage areas of the cemetery and blend with the new upgrades in the Stone Quarry Cemetery,” Mayor Harding said.
“It is important that we maintain the historic grave monuments and established trees as they provide a significant ongoing connection for founding families who still live in the area.
“Traditional Islamic burials and possibly a non-denominational area are being considered to better reflect our growing and changing community.
“No activities are being proposed in the concept plan near the existing monuments and graves. We want to maintain the current aesthetic of the area.”
As part of the concept plan council is proposing to introduce new elements to the cemetery including a location for traditional Islamic burials, a columbarium wall or memorial gardens and a potential non-denominational area for burials of people of any faith.
“Members of the Islamic community petitioned council last year for an appropriate location to be set aside within an existing Ipswich cemetery for Muslim residents as the nearest location was in Mt Gravatt in Brisbane,” Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen said.
“Council has since investigated the possibilities as it is important we find a suitable location for Ipswich’s Muslim residents to hold traditional Islamic burials closer to home.
“Our research showed the Stone Quarry cemetery as the best potential option as it has space for growth and was suitable for redevelopment on a larger scale.”
Division 1 Councillor Pye Augustine said the master-planning process had developed a concept plan that incorporates new features and improves the overall look and accessibility of the cemetery.
“The concept also supports future growth, while protecting the heritage of the site,” Cr Augustine said.
“We are now seeking community feedback on the proposed design so we can incorporate the needs of the local communities into our planning before we undertake any work.”
Traditional Islamic burials have different requirements to Christian burials such as the orientation of bodies generally in a North-South orientation, as it is important for the deceased to be perpendicular to the direction of Mecca. Christian cemeteries generally plot in an East-West orientation.
For more information on the concept plan visit Shape Your Ipswich
