Input sought on Carr Villa Master Plan

Published on 28 March 2025

The City of Launceston will seek community feedback on its draft masterplan for the municipality's largest public cemetery, Carr Villa Memorial Park, after consultation was endorsed by Councillors at this week's meeting.

This forward-thinking plan outlines a vision to ensure the cemetery meets the burial, memorial, and community needs of the Launceston community for the next 100 years and beyond. Community members will now be invited to review the draft and share their feedback on the Council's online engagement platform Tomorrow Together to help shape the future of this cherished community space.

The draft Master Plan builds on extensive prior engagement with the community, stakeholders, and Council officers. It aims to balance the cemetery’s role as a peaceful place of remembrance with its potential to be a more sustainable, inclusive, and multifunctional public asset. Key focuses areas include:

• A 100+ Year Vision: The plan ensures long-term capacity for burials and cremations while adapting to evolving community preferences, such as the growing demand for cremation (70% nationally) and natural burial options.

• Sustainability and Ecology: Protecting and enhancing Carr Villa’s natural beauty is a key aspect of the plan. A sensitive approach to balancing interment space with the natural values of the site, will enhance, rather than diminish, the site’s character and significance. Expanding native plantings, and introducing water-sensitive designs like daylighting the creek line to boost biodiversity and create a serene environment, are all key elements.

• Community Connection: Carr Villa will evolve into a vibrant community hub with new amenities such as seating, shelters, a children’s nature play area, and a water pavilion. These additions aim to encourage visitation for reflection, recreation, and cultural events while maintaining the site’s formality.

• Cultural Inclusion: The plan seeks to strengthen ties with Tasmanian Aboriginal People through potential partnerships, as well as celebrating Launceston’s diverse communities with flexible, multi-denominational spaces.

• Improved Access and Comfort: Enhanced pathways, wayfinding, and parking will make the site more accessible and intuitive for all visitors, including those with mobility needs, while reducing reliance on private vehicles over time.

• Innovative Cemetery Design: The plan explores sustainable burial practices, such as limitedtenure graves, and digital memorialisation to reduce land use pressures and embrace modern technology.

City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said Carr Villa Memorial Park was one of the most important public facilities managed by the Council. "Carr Villa Memorial Park has served our community for over a century, and the draft Master Plan is about ensuring it remains a place of peace, reflection, and connection for generations to come," Mayor Garwood said.

"We’ve listened to what our community and stakeholders have told us so far, and now we're asking you to help us refine this vision."

Have Your Say: The draft Carr Villa Memorial Park Master Plan can be viewed and feedback provided at www.tomorrowtogetherlaunceston.com.au before consultation closes on April 28.