Contractors removed deteriorated or damaged plastic flowers and tributes from the Bermagui Cemetery. Photo: BVSC.
In a move that took the local community by surprise, Bega Valley Shire Council asked a contractor to remove tributes and plastic flowers from graves at the Bermagui Cemetery.
The decision resulted in shock and confusion on social media, with many in the community voicing their distress after arriving at the cemetery to discover their tributes to their loved ones had vanished.
As one said, “Even the flower out of my parents’ glass dome has been taken!”
“No consultation or correspondence from council. Total lack of respect for our deceased family members and us, the people that go there. It’s really upsetting to see,” another said.
The removal remained a mystery until council released a letter to the community on Monday (19 May), apologising for the decision. But it’s clear the hurt caused to the grieving family members remains.
“My family have been very distressed about the decision to remove items that belonged to their loved ones and cannot ever be replaced,” one person wrote on social media.
“A family grave or graves are a very sacred place for grieving by their families.
“I certainly hope BVSC do not continue this unprofessional decision-making at any other cemeteries in our shire.”
Another wrote, “Bit late for the people whose tributes are gone, the hurt can’t be undone.”
Council’s parks, aquatics and recreation manager John Grady told Region council had engaged a contractor to undertake general maintenance works at the cemetery on 8 May, which included the removal of deteriorated or damaged plastic flowers and tributes.
“Similar works have not been undertaken at other cemeteries across the shire and there are no plans to replace the removed items, which were in poor condition,” he said.
“However, we regret the distress this has caused, and we are reviewing our Cemetery Management Plan and maintenance practices following community feedback.”
Council’s letter of apology said the intention was to maintain cemetery grounds as well-kept places for loved ones to rest and be remembered.
“However, we recognise that in this case we got the balance wrong,” a council spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said council understood cemeteries were deeply personal places of remembrance, connection and grief, and that memorial tributes carried enormous meaning for families and friends.
“Going forward, tributes and memorial items will not be removed unless they pose a specific safety risk,” the council spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said immediate changes were underway to ensure its cemetery management better reflected community expectations and sensitivities.
“We thank everyone who took the time to contact us and share their concerns,” they said.
Labor councillor Helen O’Neil also took to social media to speak about the removal of the tributes.
“Let’s make sure the community is involved in decisions about the cemetery, so that this does not happen again,” she said.
