By Xavier Smerdon
RESIDENT’S complaints have been heard loud and clear resulting in a better resting place for their loved ones.
Earlier this year Wyndham Council adopted a motion to appeal to the Minister for Health David Davis to take immediate action to improve the conditions of the Werribee and Truganina cemeteries after weeks of people complaining.
Star received multiple letters and emails from residents annoyed with overgrown weeds and a lack of maintenance at the cemeteries.
The Council gave the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, which runs the two sites, 90 days to improve the conditions or give up control of them.
Councillor Shane Bourke, one of the most vocal members of the council on this issue, said he was pleased with the GMCT’s management of their complaints.
“I thought they took it on board extremely well. I think they were positive about it,” Cr Bourke said.
“It could have been because the grass growth had slowed down, could have been a number of reasons, but I think they were very upfront to actually say they weren’t … quick enough or organised enough to actually keep the grass growth under control.”
Cr Bourke said the cemetery looked like it should, which showed a better respect for those resting there. “If you go down there now it has improved dramatically,” he said.
“They did mention a few improvements they’re going to make as well, just like we would have continued making improvements to that cemetery too.”
Cr Kim McAliney said the issue should never have reached the stage it did. “At the end of the day when they did take it over it should have been looked after in the first place,” Cr McAliney said.
