MORE than 180 years’ worth of district burial records can now be searched online for free, with the launch of a new website.
Mayor Teresa Harding said up until now accessing burial information has been a complex process.
“In the past, burial information has been stored by a progression of custodians including church groups, community trustees, former shire councils, the current council and our cemetery management partner Ipswich Cemeteries,” she said.
“Administration of our five cemeteries with 50,000 plots is a huge task, so the new online platform will make it easier for residents and council staff to manage burials and access information.
“By making plot location information available from personal computers, mobile phones and other devices, council hopes to improve connection to our deceased loved ones, ancestors and historical figures.”
Cr Paul Tully said the new website will provide real-time access to cemetery information.
“It will improve the management of historic and more recent cemetery records, provide better oversight of cemetery capacity, and help conserve and future proof plot availability,” he said.
“Work is progressing to transfer the details of over 80,000 burial and cremation records with plans to review and improve the quality of the information available.
“It’s an ongoing process, but council is excited to announce this project and hopes to encourage visitors to explore, rediscover and reconnect with our cemeteries and their lost loved ones.”
Warrill Park Lawn Cemetery will be the first to have drone imagery surveying of plots conducted and council will continue updating the website with the new images over coming months.
