Alexandrina residents are being asked for their feedback on a unique proposal to establish Australia’s first 'restoration' natural burial ground.

The site would be in a portion of unused land at the Old Goolwa Cemetery.

The proposal was put forward by the not-for-profit Natural Burial Ground Trust of Australia,  in partnership with the Nature Foundation.

It was considered by Alexandrina Council at its meeting on Monday June 17 with councillors voting to put the concept out for community consultation.

Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes says the exciting opportunity has no cost to ratepayers.

“Besides the fact this is a lower-cost option for burial, we know there are many people in our community who are passionate about the retention of bush sites and the natural environment and this is an opportunity to have a chemical-free, more sustainable burial that connects the death of an individual to the restoration of the planet.

“The difference with the proposed 'restoration' natural burial ground is that it is established on land that has been cleared or needs environmental restoration, and the fees charged for a natural burial are used to fund landscaping, restoration programs and other positive environmental outcomes at the site and other environmentally significant locations.

“There is already an existing Bush Forever site at the Old Goolwa Cemetery.

“This proposal will not disturb any of the existing historical burials on the site and there will be a vegetated buffer zone between the restoration burial ground and the historical burial ground to ensure no disturbance.

“This is a unique idea and Council Members are keen for the Natural Burial Ground Trust of Australia and the Nature Foundation to look at other sites in our region.”

The Burial and Cremation Act 2013 and associated regulations allow for this type of offering.

The Act, championed by the late Hon Dr Bob Such, enshrines natural burial grounds as environmental burial places distinct from traditional cemeteries.

The council looked at two possible sites – a vacant land parcel at Ashbourne set aside for cemetery purposes and the unused portion of land at the Old Goolwa Cemetery site.

The Old Goolwa Cemetery site was selected because there is already an existing Bush Forever site in the area.

As well as endorsing the Old Goolwa Cemetery proposal for community consultation, the council also voted to invite the Natural Burial Ground Trust of Australia and the Nature Foundation to scope the vacant land at Ashbourne for the establishment of a restoration natural burial ground.

The Natural Burial Ground Trust of Australia and the Nature Foundation are not-for-profit organisations and registered environmental charities.

The intent is to enable individuals and families to choose an affordable, natural burial that connects the death of an individual to the restoration of the planet.

Costs associated with a 'restoration' natural burial are kept to a minimum to cover the operating expenses associated with the individual burial only, and surplus revenue is used for the protection and expansion of the native habitat.

The Nature Foundation manages more than half a million hectares of conservation land in SA, including a high-value wetland in the Alexandrina Council area.

Kevin Hartley from the Natural Burial Ground Trust of Australia says every burial in the proposed restoration burial ground at Goolwa would include a two times carbon-positive offset and provide funding to the Nature Foundation to support biodiversity and restoration initiatives.

“A restoration natural burial ground gives people the opportunity to choose an authentic natural burial style that connects the death of an individual to the restoration of the planet,” he says.

“It's a genuine return to the earth and a way for people to leave a living legacy for their families.”

Nature Foundation’s Deputy CEO Mark Ashley says the collaboration with the Natural Burial Ground Trust is a really innovative way to support its work. 

“People are choosing sustainable options in everyday life and being able to give back at the end of life is meaningful.”

Consultation on the proposal is now open and will close at 5 pm on Friday 12 July.

Full details are available on Council’s My Say Alexandrina website, with hard copies available at Council offices at Goolwa and Strathalbyn.

Kangaroos at the Old Goolwa Cemetery.