LEGACY PLOT RESERVATION MANAGEMENT POLICY · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                                 9 JUNE 2026


effective long-term planning across all cemeteries.

Any potential plot reclamation would only occur following review and authorisation by the relevant
manager or director to ensure policy and process compliance.

A safety net will be included to manage, in the rare circumstance, a person coming forward to claim
a reserved plot after the notification period expires. Council will retain a vacant plot at each Cemetery
to provide a space for these situations.

3. Legislative Context


Queensland does not have a legislative framework to govern cemetery management and there is no
specific legislative direction on how unused or unclaimed plots may be reviewed or recovered. This
creates uncertainty and limits local governments’ ability to manage historical allocations in a
consistent, transparent and legally robust manner.

In response, many Queensland councils have developed local laws, policies or administrative
processes to address unused plot reservations. These approaches typically establish review
mechanisms, notification requirements, and decision-making processes within existing legislative
constraints. The proposed Legacy Plot Reservation Management Policy aligns with this emerging
practice and will provide clear governance and consistent, equitable decision-making.

Other Australian jurisdictions have more defined legislative frameworks. For example, Victoria allows
unused interment rights to be cancelled after a defined period where the right has not been exercised
and the holder cannot be located. New South Wales provides for both perpetual and renewable
interment rights, with unused rights able to be revoked subject to due process. Similarly, South
Australia and Western Australia have established frameworks that enable the renewal, surrender
and, in some cases, reuse of burial sites.

These approaches demonstrate that reclaiming unused plots can be effectively managed when
supported by clear processes, appropriate safeguards and transparent community engagement. In
the absence of specific legislation in Queensland, it is appropriate for Noosa Council to establish a
local policy framework to manage unused plots responsibly and ensure limited cemetery land is used
in the long-term interests of the community.

4. Implementation


Before implementing the Policy, Council will undertake a targeted community awareness program to
inform stakeholders, including existing Interment Rights Holders and their lawful successors, funeral
directors, the broader community, and relevant Council staff. The awareness program will utilise a
range of communication channels, including Council’s website, direct correspondence, and public
notices, to ensure information is accessible and widely disseminated.

The Policy will then be implemented through a gradual, staged approach, commencing with targeted
communication to existing Interment Rights Holders known to Council. Internal training and guidance
will be provided to relevant Council staff to ensure consistent application of the Policy and to support
enquiries. The process will commence in July 2026.