Waverley Cemetery in Bronte is set to add memorial walls for ash interments as part of a plan to address limited burial space and rising maintenance costs.
Waverley Cemetery’s New Plan
Waverley officials have proposed constructing 20 memorial walls at Waverley Cemetery in Bronte, each containing compartments for storing ashes. The initiative is designed to provide an additional revenue stream while offering more resting place options at the heritage-listed site.
Background and Context
Established in 1877, Waverley Cemetery occupies 40 acres between Bronte and Clovelly Beaches and is listed on the State Heritage Register. The cemetery contains over 50,000 graves, including significant Victorian and Edwardian monuments.
Recent reports highlight that maintenance has become increasingly costly, with annual upkeep reaching $1.5 million. Since 2022, repair work has included addressing structural issues such as collapsed vaults, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Ash Niches to Address Space and Costs
The council’s plan involves building memorial walls along Quinn Road within the cemetery, providing 720 compartments. Each compartment, measuring 19cm wide by 17cm high, would cost $8540 to reserve. The project is estimated to generate at least $6 million, assisting with ongoing upkeep of the site.
Memorial walls of this kind have been installed previously along the cemetery’s northern side and have proven popular. The new structures are designed to align with the cemetery’s heritage character and will be accompanied by minor landscaping and new seating.
Alternative Options and Council Considerations
Waverley Council explored the memorial wall proposal as part of efforts to preserve the cemetery’s future role as a final resting place for the community. The council noted that, due to the protected status of many graves and unclear records for older sites, options for reusing existing burial plots were limited.
Community Feedback on the Proposal
The proposal has drawn mixed reactions from locals. Some social media users have compared the appearance of the walls to post office boxes, while others have questioned their cost-effectiveness. The Friends of Waverley Cemetery group has expressed support, highlighting the plan’s role in helping to fund essential maintenance.
Next Steps
Waverley Council plans to release ash niches gradually over the next 20 years to provide steady revenue. The project follows consultation and design refinement, with construction yet to commence.
Published 28-June-2025