Memorial safety tests present monumental task

As part of our commitment to providing a safe place to lay rest to loved ones, Wollongong City Council is undertaking safety inspections of all 28,500 headstones and monuments in our ten cemeteries and memorial gardens.

This follows a legislative requirement under the Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW (CCNSW) Interment Industry Scheme, which sets safety and maintenance standards for cemetery operators NSW.

According to this legislation, safety inspections must occur at least once every five years, and proportionate action must be taken to minimise potential safety hazards.

Josh Saunders, of Council’s Cemeteries and Memorial Gardens team, said the changes were brought about by cases around the world where people have been hurt and killed by loose memorials.

“While burials built today adhere to Australian safety standards, many older gravesites did not and risk causing injury or death to people who come into contact with these unstable monuments.”

Mr Saunders explains the safety inspection test is a simple one.

“After a headstone or monument is identified as a risk, a staff member applies a firm amount of force to the structure. If there is any movement or degradation visible, that headstone is safely laid face down to protect inscriptions from weather and erosion.”

Already, a number of memorials have been found to be non-compliant to the current Australian Standards.

Many of these were constructed between 1940 and 1960 and featured headstones not connected to the base, but rather sitting on top.

“While it is our role to care for the grounds and ensure public safety, we will not interfere with headstones beyond necessary requirements. When we are able, families of affected monuments will be contacted for further action and care.”

“Carrying out these inspections across ten sites is an ongoing process that will take a significant amount of time. Our team will take utmost care and respect in every part of this process.”

For more information, or to update contact details for existing sites, please contact the Memorial Gardens Office on 4227 7780.