Subsiding gravesites are posing a health and safety risk at Waihī Cemetery, Hauraki District councillors heard at their June 26 meeting.
A tabled report said the subsidence affected a roughly one-hectare area, and was particularly evident in the RSA section.
“Although some grave subsidence is normal at cemeteries, the sheer number of affected graves at the Waihī Cemetery has the potential to negatively impact public perception of how Council maintains its cemeteries. There is also a risk that a visitor to the cemetery may suffer a fall due to the unevenness of the ground,” the report said.
A recommendation was made for grave levelling to be carried out over the RSA section, section A, and section B over a three-year period, with a soil stockpile to be subsequently established at the cemetery for future maintenance.
The cost for the project was estimated to be $230,000 if carried out over three years, or $195,600 if completed in one go.
Councillors were divided on whether the work should be completed over time to avoid unnecessary disruption at the cemetery, or whether the health and safety risk and lower overall cost warranted an “all at once” approach.
“We’re very mindful that works of this nature in the cemetery we’re going to have to manage with care and dignity,” chief executive Langley Cavers said.
Deputy Mayor Paul Milner said his preferred option was to “get it done as soon as possible”, and suggested the cost be spread over the next 10 years to minimise the impact to ratepayers.
The council has deferred a decision until further information can be gathered.
Meanwhile, councillors have approved a $10 a week increase in rent for residents of the 57 council-run elderly housing persons’ units in Paeroa, Waihī and Ngatea. Rent is currently set at $198 per week for a studio unit or bedsit and $205 per week for a one bedroom unit.
A council report said there was a $61,000 deficit in net operating costs for the units over the 2023/24 financial year.
Councillors rejected a second option to increase rent by $21 a week, saying although a larger increase would better cover the shortfall, they were mindful of the need to avoid undue financial pressure on the residents.
“The most important thing for elderly people is to have a safe roof over their heads,” Cr Daley said.
The increase will take effect on October 1.
Also on the council’s agenda at the meeting was the offloading of the sports buildings in Paeroa Centennial Domain. The buildings, consisting of the rugby clubrooms, boxing gym building and toilet block, were temporarily vested to the council following the dissolution of the Paeroa Centennial Park Board in 2023.
The council voted to transfer ownership of the buildings to the Paeroa Sports Club Incorporated Society, a “like-minded sporting organisation” to the park board, as mandated by the former park board’s constitution. The move will see council absolved of liability for the buildings, which are in need of extensive maintenance to repair moisture and weather damage.
