The first stage in developing Cromwell Cemetery’s western side will go to the Cromwell Community Board for approval in May.
The Cromwell Community Board (CCB) and the Central Otago District Council (CODC) have been making plans to expand the cemetery for several years. Approval given for a draft concept plan means developing stage one of the extension could commence. Funding for this has been added to the 2025-34 Long-term Plan.
The first stage includes planting a 5-metre buffer of native and exotic plants around the new area to act as a visual barrier to the industrial development beyond the cemetery. A new access will be formed off Cemetery Road, with a new cemetery layout, suitable internal plantings, and a car park etc being developed in the first stage.
Established in 1879 as a dryland cemetery, rabbits have been an issue for many years, mainly due to the surrounding former grassed areas which are now being developed minimising rabbit habitat. To take advantage of this reduction in suitable surrounding rabbit habitat, the Council undertook a successful poison drop last winter and will follow up this winter, having been encouraged by the results, with some residual rabbits still needing control.
The cemetery is divided into three sections – a section for returned service veterans, a memorial wall area, and ashes and interment sites. The intention is to keep the cemetery as a dryland cemetery and continue this into future stages, only irrigating trees, not grass, CODC Parks and Recreation Manager Gordon Bailey said.
This means that the grass will always be brown in summer. Graves are topped up in spring or autumn when grass is sown.
The Council’s maintenance contractors regularly top up sunken graves and rabbit holes as required.
Cromwell’s Anzac Day services will be held at the cemetery this year while the new Cromwell hall and memorial garden is being developed.
“Work is continuously being undertaken to ensure that the cemetery looks its best for this day as is the practice with all Council cemeteries,” Mr Bailey said.
Cemeteries always have gates that remain open so people can visit any time, and potable water is available for hand washing.
The CCB will receive the final plan for stage 1 development for approval at the May meeting.
Construction would be expected to commence 2026 depending on securing appropriate contractors.
Read more: Cromwell, Alexandra Cemeteries to be extended, tidied up
