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Monday, April 18, 2016
Redevelopment to give Whyalla Cemetery a facelift
The Whyalla Cemetery is set to receive a facelift, with unsuitable trees being removed to make way for more appropriate trees to be planted.
It has been identified that several species of trees within the Whyalla Cemetery are in poor condition, have poor growth habits, are demonstrating structural deficiencies, or are inhibiting the growth of the surrounding lawn area, and should be removed.
Once unsuitable trees have been removed, new species will be planted to replace them.
Replanting will include new specimens of shade trees that will not unduly affect the surrounding lawns.
A series of fruit trees will also be planted in the area, which comes at the request of a number of community members who have expressed interested in for ashes interments as an alternative to native trees or rose bushes.
Members of the public will be welcomed to help themselves to fruit from apple, pear, orange, lemon, and mandarin trees planted in the area.
While the removal of existing trees will mean there will be no shade until the replacement trees have developed, the council will be repositioning two seats under two shade umbrellas to provide visitors with access to shade.
The redevelopment will be undertaken in section F of the cemetery, and will occur immediately after Mother’s Day, with work beginning on Monday, May 9.
Whyalla City Council acting chief executive officer Migelle Hiscock said she was pleased the cemetery was receiving a facelift.
“A number of our existing trees within the cemetery are due to be removed, and the planting of new trees will provide an aesthetically pleasing upgrade to the Whyalla Cemetery,” Mrs Hiscock said.
“I am pleased that we are able to plant a number of fruit trees within the area, as this will provide an opportunity to create a shared community space that can be utilized by all.”
The contractor undertaking the work will take steps to prevent any damage to existing gravesites or memorials, and no works will be undertake whilst funeral proceedings are taking place.
“Our contractors will be working hard to minimise the impact on members of the public visiting the area, and we ask that the community appreciate that the works may cause some inconvenience, but remember that the works will be completed in as short a timeframe as possible to minimise disturbance to the public,” Mrs Hiscock said.