Rules and regulations regarding placement of flowers and other adornments at Griffith Cemetery have, in the past, left residents confused and distressed.
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A sign currently posted at the cemetery is raising questions about what residents can and cannot do.
While the sign has been up for over 12 months, the rules are 12 years old.
Last month, Griffith residents were encouraged to return flowers on graves at the Griffith Cemetery after an established Community Working Group looked into the matter of damaged adornments and mementos on plaques and beams.
Residents were then directed to approach Council for an application form – (PG-FO-610) Application for Coring of Beam – to have vessel holes or ‘ink wells’ enlarged to prevent flowers from spilling over and to ensure the green is more accessible for maintenance workers and visitors.
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As of June 1, Council has been directing residents to the Griffith Cemetery office to obtain the form.
However, upon arriving, visitors will see the sign listing the set of rules which contains a number of discrepancies when compared to the 2009 list of rules from the Cemetery Management Plan (CMP).
For example the 2006 set of rules notes that “any vase, statuette, jar, bottle or other item of embellishment is not to be placed on or near a grave, monument, crypt or vault in a reserve in contravention of a direction given to the person by an authorised person”.
While the 2009 lists “excessive ornaments” or other, not to be placed.
Community Working Group member Michael Crump said this is the main discrepancy between the set of rules.
Mr Crump believes the placing of what he says is “incorrect signage” at the cemetery office has been “done on purpose”.
The Area News spoke with Doug Curran, the General Facilities Committee Chair, who said:
“The message that I would like to promote is that people engage with Council staff at the cemetery to discuss what they are proposing and confirm that they are heading down the right track.”
He also reiterated that residents can still apply for new holes to be drilled higher on the beams.
Speaking with Griffith City Council Director Infrastructure and Operations Phil King, The Area News learned that the sign cannot be changed or amended by Council as “the sign in question depicts Section 26 of the Crown Lands (General Reserves) By Law is NSW legislation.”
“The intent is provide the part of state law that relates to the operation of our cemetery and then provide reference to Council's Cemetery Management Plan (CMP).”
Mr King said the CMP is under review, but that there “have been amendments adopted by Council that specifically relate to placing embellishments on the beams in the lawn cemetery.”
“The placement of embellishments are required to comply with both Section 26 (1) a,b,c as well as councils CMP,” he said.
The cemetery office hours are Monday to Friday 7am to 2pm, but Mr Crump notes the team leader foreman is not always available to receive visitors and give out forms.
Mr Crump wants the application forms to be available at Council or online to avoid confusion.