8 March 2000

Matters arising from the Christchurch City Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee held today

1. Ashes memorial garden
   A new ashes memorial garden is to be established at the Christchurch City Council’s Sydenham Cemetery.The committee decided that a concept plan is produced and community consultation held. Development of the garden will be staged as funds allow.Sydenham Cemetery opened in Somerfield Park in 1896 and still has a demand from families in the area.Richard Holland, the Christchurch City Council Parks Unit’s asset manager, told the committee that full burial use was nearly at an end.Only 115 plots remained and about 21 burials were undertaken each year. There had always been a much higher proportion of cremations compared with full burials in Christchurch. At present burials run at 25 per cent.Mr Holland said the number of ashes interments in city cemeteries was increasing.As the population continued to age, the need for additional "final resting places increase. It is expected that the death rate for Christchurch will increase by 12 per cent by 2016," Mr Holland said.The ashes memorial garden in Sydenham Cemetery will be developed behind the main gates on Simeon Street.The former sexton’s house, built about 1910, would be removed and the original shelter at the entrance would be relocated to the new memorial garden, he said.The garden will provide 500 ashes plots.The Sydenham Cemetery development was just the start by the Council to provide more garden areas for ashes, Mr Holland said.Two new cemeteries were planned, at Islington and one on the edge of the Port Hills.
        
2. Garden show magnificent
   Cr. Carole Anderton told the committee the recent Garden City Garden Show held at Mona Vale at the end of February was magnificent.She said everyone associated with it was to be congratulated for the work. She said 2000 volunteers worked on the show."This show, which was just magnificent, enhanced the reputation of the garden city," Cr. Anderton said.