With wet weather putting a dampener on many Christmas festivities this year, the rain has proven a ripe opportunity to bring up ongoing concerns over the Yenda Cemetery.
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Yenda Progress Association (YPA) has received a number of complaints, centered around the need for internal parking at the cemetery due to the inaccessibility of the plots during wet weather.
Griffith City Council’s Director Infrastructure and Operations Phil King addressed the issues raised by the YPA, saying at this stage the cemetery does not receive enough visitation.
“While the construction of a carpark within the cemetery grounds is a possibility relating to space, the current levels of visitation on a regular basis does not suggest that this is something which is required at this stage,” Mr King said.
YPA’s secretary Paul Rossetto said there other concerns, including a kerb to stop the water, grading of the road, installation of a toilet block and seating.
My dad is a staunch Yenda man, and he wants to be buried here, but my mum, she said well she’s been with your dad for 56 years so she might as well follow him to the grave, but she’s not happy about it.
- Yenda Progress Association Secretary Paul Rossetto.
Last year saw two funerals held in very wet circumstances, forcing mourners to park along Cemetery Road and walk almost a kilometre to the funeral service, posing difficulties for the elderly and disabled.
Council said it continues to maintain the entrance on a regular basis, and will work to ensure any issues are dealt with as they arise, as well as within the scheduled maintenance program.
“Council will investigate the options for seating within the cemetery as well as options for a toilet block,” he said.
“While there is the infrastructure required to construct a toilet block, this would need to be costed as part of Council's annual budget process.”
Mr Rossetto said an upgrade of the Yenda Cemetery would save council money and would extend the need to commence a new cemetery at Rifle Range Road.
“I did make the point that spending $100,000 on the Yenda cemetery would save Council five million dollars on not having to start the new cemetery.”
Mr King said Yenda Cemetery is not seen by council as an alternative for the new cemetery in Griffith, as both cemetery’s were required to service the population.
“The problem is three-quarters of the Yenda people, when they pass they want to go to the Griffith cemetery because it’s beautiful,” Mr Rossetto said.
“My dad is a staunch Yenda man, and he wants to be buried here, but my mum, she said well she’s been with your dad for 56 years so she might as well follow him to the grave, but she’s not happy about it.”
Mr King said there were a “multitude” of reasons why people may preference Griffith, some of which are cultural.
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