Council & Politics
22 July, 2025
Council moves to increase cemetery fees
THE Northern Grampians Shire Council has voted to increase cemetery fees at Pleasant Creek (Stawell) and St Arnaud cemeteries, following a motion passed at its most recent meeting on July 7.
The proposed fee adjustment, which is pending approval from the Department of Health, aligns with the Department's Memorial Permit Fee Model and Scale.
A recent review of interment fees revealed that current charges at both cemeteries fall below the standard for similar facilities and do not cover the full cost of providing interment rights.
Both sites are council-managed, not volunteer-run, and factors such as land structure contribute to higher operating costs.
Additionally, the existing fee structure does not fully account for tasks performed by stonemasons and council staff. The updated scale aims to establish a more comprehensive pricing model that better reflects the scope of work involved and ensures cost recovery.
Councillor Jenny Greenberger pointed out that the changes would not impact ratepayers.
“This service provided by council is cost-neutral to council, and it’s an important consideration with regards to the cost-of-living pressures on our ratepayers,” Cr Greenberger said.
“The fees we are charging mean no additional burden on ratepayers.”