Some of the newly installed perimeter fence on the north side of the cemetery.
After the community has criticised Council for the Harden-Murrumburrah Cemetery being in what some locals say is a poor state since the February disasters, Council has responded to a media request by the Twin Town Times.
Council said the storm damage the Harden-Murrumburrah area experienced on Monday 10th February 2025 has significantly delayed the open spaces work program. Council said their initial priority was to address the storm damage in the town itself.
The next priority for Council staff was the work at the Coddington Park playground. The playground has now been completed and opened to the public. They continued, saying further work is required on the irrigation and other areas of the park, which will be undertaken at a later stage due to the availability of specialist contractors to repair the fish ladders which need to be fixed before other work can be done on the creek banks.
These questions were posed to Council by the Twin Town Times and their responses are as follows:
Are there currently any plans to conduct repairs at the Harden Cemetery?
Yes. Since the 10 February 2025 storm, the cemetery has been on the list of works to be completed. Council staff have been working on a solution to minimise the amount of rainwater entering the old cemetery, which causes erosion.
A bund [embankment] will be constructed on the western side of the cemetery, redirecting overland flow towards roadside drainage along Burley Griffin Way. The next step will be to repair the erosion within the cemetery area.
Materials have already been delivered for the bund, and the Open Spaces crew has started erosion repair work. Trees have also been ordered to replace the trees that were damaged beyond repair during the storm.
People have reported that they have been told they need to pay out of their own pocket for headstone repairs in other towns. Is this true for Hilltops as well? Is this standard Council procedure?
Yes. The Hilltops Cemetery Management Policy outlines this under Item 21. Plaques/Monuments – Maintenance and Repair:
Plaques and monuments in Council’s cemeteries are the responsibility of the holder of the Perpetual Interment Right. Should these items be damaged, vandalised, or fall into disrepair, it is the responsibility of the Perpetual Interment Right holder to make repairs.
Council approval is required prior to the commencement of rectification works. If plaques or monuments are in an unsafe or hazardous state Council may conduct works to make the area safe. This work may involve the placement of a headstone face down on the ground of the grave to prevent it from falling. This method, which preserves inscriptions, is recommended by The National Trust and will not ordinarily include repairs or reinstatement of the headstone. The placement of headstones or monuments may only be made by licensed and qualified masons with an approved monument works application. Council does not bear any liability for damage caused by vandalism.
Is there any way for residents to inform Council of any issues with the site?
Yes. Anyone wishing to bring something to Council’s attention can submit a customer request online at https://www.hilltops.nsw.gov.au/lodge-a-request/. Alternatively, they can call or visit Council’s Customer Care team, who can log a request on their behalf. The team are available at the Boorowa, Harden and Young offices or on 1300 445 586.
What works have taken place at the cemetery since the February natural disasters?
The following works have been carried out since the storm: – Soil and mulch at the Lawn Cemetery, which was washed away during the storm, has been replaced. – Damaged irrigation equipment has been repaired. – Minor repairs were made at the Monumental Cemetery, limited by available resources. – Broken tree branches and other debris was removed. – Vases and ornaments damaged during the storm were removed. – Internal fencing damaged in the storm was removed to make maintenance easier between different sections. Feedback from the public has been positive, noting the cemetery looks better without the dam-aged internal fences. – The old, damaged perimeter fence was replaced.
-Jack Murray
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