A site has been suggested for a future crematorium in Cromwell, along with land set aside around it to allow for burials through the coming decades.

The Cromwell Community Board, yesterday, approved a concept plan for future extension of the current facility on Cemetery Road, including more

burial areas, a chapel, crematorium, plantings and roads.

The Cromwell Cemetery was established in 1879 during goldrush days and today, over 140 years later, it neighbours a modern motorsport park

and rapidly-expanding industrial developments.

The Community Board has approved an extended land area around the currently-utilised site be designated as Local Purpose Cemetery Reserve, for future use.

Board member Werner Murray, however, voted against the proposal, believing that leaving some free of reserve status would allow more flexibility of use

of what was very valuable land and open up opportunity for commercial interests -such as a private crematorium operator - to utilise it.

It would also leave options for burials to perhaps move, in the future, to land elsewhere, as industrial growth continued and noise-making activities increased.

He felt the site, which is close to considerable industrial activity “might be quite a nasty spot” for families to try and hold quiet graveside gatherings in the future.

CAPTION: Cromwell Community Board chairwoman Anna Harrison leads yesterday's online meeting

Others disagreed and felt the reserve status could later be reversed if desired, with chairwoman Anna Harrison saying that any future changes would

remain “under the board’s umbrella”.

The chapel and crematorium suggested in the concept plan were not definitive plans, council staff pointed out.

“Factoring crematoria into the concept ensures land requirements are future proofed to accommodate growth in demand both in Central Otago and

surrounding areas.

Central Otago District Council parks officer for projects Marie Gordon said it was not a commitment to provide the service, nor an indication that an additional crematorium was required in the short to medium term.

The only crematorium in Central Otago is located in Alexandra and is privately owned and operated.

Council parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey told the board, councils were often not keen to have to operate such facilities themselves,

preferring to leave it to commercial operators.

He said some that had taken it on had later moved to off-load the operations.

Board member Neil Gillespie urged council to clarify the rules for the site to prevent encroachment of industrial buildings around the borders of the cemetery.