Cleveland Cemetery Upgrade
Consultation has concluded
Council has completed important repair and upgrade works at the historic Cleveland Cemetery. Work commenced in March 2021 and finished in October 2021.
The project was managed to ensure minimal disruption to people attending the cemetery.
Much of the work took place on the cemetery’s Clarke Street side and central area, and included a new Lychgate entrance structure, additional columbarium walls, renewed Randall Walls and Garden, new shelter and connecting pathways.
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New lychgate returns historic feature to Cleveland Cemetery
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November 8, 2021
Redland City Council has completed an important upgrade at the historic Cleveland Cemetery, including the installation of an impressive lychgate that is a replica of the original.
Mayor Karen Williams said the upgrade would not only help preserve the 148-year-old cemetery for future generations, but paid homage to a piece of Redlands Coast history.
“Part of these improvement works included the installation of a lychgate which is a replica of the one placed at the Clarke Street entrance to the cemetery in 1927,” she said.
“Unfortunately that gate had to be removed in 1998 as it was infested with white ants.”
The new lychgate is made of hardwood, with terracotta tiles on the roof.
It has been mostly handcrafted by a specialised carpenter, with the exception of the gates.
“The original lychgate was commissioned by George Randall of Birkdale in memory of his wife and two sons and was modelled on the gates of St Martin’s Church, Canterbury in England,” Cr Williams said.
“The new lychgate returns this historic element, providing a covered pedestrian entry into the cemetery.
“There are also two new granite columbarium walls on either side of the lychgate, which will increase the capacity for the interment of cremated remains.
“This upgrade will ensure Cleveland Cemetery continues to meet the needs of our community and provide a place where they can comfortably reflect and honour their loved ones.”
The upgrade also included reconstruction of the Randall Walls and Garden and the addition of a shelter and formalised paths.
Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said the upgrade improved access to the cemetery while also enhancing its amenity.
“Some of the old gravel paths have been replaced with concrete pathways, there is a new shelter with a table and seating, and a new avenue of trees,” Cr Mitchell said.
“The upgrade also included the creation of a new lawn burial section along Clarke Street.
“Cleveland Cemetery opened in 1873 and is the oldest cemetery still operational on the Redlands Coast mainland.
“Only Dunwich Cemetery on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) is older, with burials dating back to 1847.”
In a separate project, the lawn cemetery section on Russell Street also received an upgrade, with the installation of new turf, garden edging and rocks around the headstones, new plants and cleaning.
Council has also recently expanded the Redland Bay Cemetery, with the works providing 288 new burial plots and improving interment options with vaults, monuments, headstones and lawn burials.
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Project Update March 8, 2021
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Redland City Council has started upgrade works at the historic Cleveland Cemetery.
Mayor Karen Williams said the works would ensure the community could continue to comfortably reflect and honour their loved ones within the cemetery.
“The works will include the installation of a lychgate structure and columbarium walls at the Clarke Street entrance, a reconstruction of the Randall Walls and Garden and the addition of a shelter and formalised pathways,” Cr Williams said.
“The project is expected to take four months to complete but has been scheduled to have minimal impact on people using and visiting the cemetery during that time.
“Importantly, there will be no changes to public funeral and interment services or visits to graves and monuments.”
Cr Williams said the upgrade would help preserve the 148-year-old cemetery for future generations.
“The works include the installation of a lychgate which is a replica of the one placed at the Clarke Street entrance in 1927.
“The original lychgate was commissioned by George Randall of Birkdale in memory of his wife and two sons and was modelled on the gates of St Martin’s Church, Canterbury in England.
“It was removed in 1998 due to a white ant infestation.
“The new lychgate will include two new granite columbarium walls which will increase capacity for the interment of cremated remains.”
Cr Williams said the Randall Walls and Garden would also be reconstructed.
“During construction the cremated remains will be recovered and held in safekeeping at a Council facility, and will be interred into their original location once the reconstructed walls are completed.
“Some stakeholders have chosen to have their family or friend’s remains returned to them during this construction phase.”
Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said the upgrades would not only address concerns over the condition of the Randall Walls and Garden, but would also improve access to and amenity of the cemetery.
“Concrete pathways will replace the current gravel paths from the Clarke Street entrance to the Randall Walls, improving safety for visitors,” Cr Mitchell said.
“The area will also include a new shelter with a table and seating, which will provide a spot where people can sit and reflect.
“Another welcome addition to the Garden is the planting of six Blueberry Ash trees which will offer shade.
“Temporary fencing will be in place to restrict access to the construction area, but burials will not be impacted.
“Plans are in place to halt works during burial services and Council officers will be working closely with the construction team to ensure disruptions are kept to a minimum.”
The Cleveland Cemetery upgrade is expected to be completed by late-June, weather permitting.
A new lawn burial section is also expected to open along Clarke Street before the end of the year.
