Voluntary Cemetery Plot Buyback

1 December 2025 - 31 May 2026

Why do we need a strategy?

With Cairns’ growing and with increasingly diverse population, demand for burial and memorial services is rising, making it essential for Council to take a coordinated, long-term approach to managing, designing, and operating its cemeteries to meet future community needs.

A strategy helps Council plan smarter, avoid duplication, and invest where it matters most.

The cemetery actions focus on four key areas:

• Governance: Clear policies and procedures to guide cemetery operations.
• Communication: Engaging with stakeholders and the community to share Council’s expectations.
• Design and Maintenance: Consistent, modern standards and coordinated planning across all cemeteries.
• Pricing and Choice: Reviewing fees and exploring ways to increase cemetery capacity.

Current Vision: Council cemeteries will meet the needs of the community by providing choice and incorporating best practice operations and design.

How was the strategy developed?

The review of the previous strategy, consultation, benchmarking, and operational review identified that there was a need for a holistic approach to cemetery planning and management. This will be achieved through the Cairns Cemetery Strategy and Cemetery Policy.

The Cairns Cemetery Strategy outlines Council’s future direction for managing the cemeteries under its care. It establishes a vision for Council-operated cemeteries to be safe, well maintained, inclusive and respectful, supported by nine guiding principles.

These principles focus on:

1. creating welcoming spaces,
2. operating safely and efficiently,
3. providing inclusive burial options,
4. maximising available land,
5. offering diverse interment choices,
6. managing costs,
7. minimising environmental and community impacts,
8. supporting reflection and connection,
9. honouring local history.

To implement the vision, the Strategy identifies 16 key actions, with the highest priority being the creation of a comprehensive Cemetery Policy to replace the existing Adornment of Graves General Policy. The Cemetery Policy will cover all aspects of the cemetery management and operations.

The aim of this strategy is to balance community needs and expectations with time, budget considerations, and the challenges of a growing and diverse population.