Council thanks the community for Cemeteries Masterplan input
Published on 02 June 2026
Maranoa Regional Council would like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to participate in the Maranoa Cemeteries Master Plan community survey. The strong response from residents, families, community groups and historical societies reflects the deep personal, cultural and historical connections people have to our cemeteries. These places are not only sites of remembrance, but important parts of our region’s story. Council also acknowledges and sincerely appreciates the volunteers who assist with maintenance and care at several cemeteries across the region. Your ongoing contribution plays a vital role in preserving these spaces for current and future generations. Council will endeavour to work collaboratively with these community members and groups, providing support where possible and remaining open to discussions about specific needs and opportunities for assistance.
Across all feedback received, several consistent themes emerged. The community identified priorities including additional shaded seating and shelter, improved accessibility and footpaths, clearer signage and wayfinding, fencing improvements (particularly where wildlife management is required) and ongoing maintenance and beautification enhancements. There was also strong interest in better access to burial records and historical information. These insights have directly informed the priorities identified in the Master Plan and will guide future works across the cemetery network.
Council recognises that upgrades and improvements must be carefully planned and delivered over time. While the Master Plan provides a long-term vision for staged improvements over the coming years — and expansion planning over the coming years and decades where required — available budgets necessarily place limits on both new capital works and ongoing maintenance. Council must balance investment across the region to ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes, while maintaining service standards and planning responsibly for future needs.
As part of planned improvements, Council will introduce new information signage at most cemetery locations. These signs will include QR codes connecting visitors to a range of helpful resources that will be created and published over time, including:
- A digital sign-in and visitation recording function
- Links to historical society stories and local heritage information (which Council will actively promote)
- A site map to assist with wayfinding
- A searchable burial index
These initiatives will improve accessibility to information, support heritage storytelling, and make it easier for families and visitors to locate graves and learn more about the history of our cemeteries.
Council appreciates the constructive and thoughtful nature of the feedback received and is committed to respectful, well-maintained and accessible cemeteries across the Maranoa region. The Master Plan will provide a clear framework to guide future investment and ensure these important community spaces continue to be cared for in a way that reflects both their historic significance and their ongoing role in the life of the community.