Templeton land eyed as potential cemetery site

Christchurch City Council is investigating the possibility of using some of the land it owns in Templeton for a new cemetery.

This aerial photo shows the location of the Council-owned land.

The Council owns about 100 hectares of land at 173 Maddisons Road.

It is considering using about two-thirds of that land for a cemetery and zoning the balance of it for the development of a sports park.

“We are at the early stages of our investigations and no decisions on the future of the land have been made yet,’’ says Council Head of Parks Andrew Rutledge.

“As a local authority we are required under the Burial and Cremation Act to provide for community burial needs. Most of Christchurch’s existing cemeteries are at, or nearing, capacity so there is a need for a new cemetery.

“The land we own at Templeton has been identified as a preferred location for a new cemetery for several reasons. It has reasonable soils and is not within a drinking water protection zone so it is an option we want to explore further,’’ Mr Rutledge says.

“We are also currently assessing the city’s long-term needs in relation to outdoor sporting facilities. We think there is a need for a major sports park to serve the south west of the city and Templeton has been identified as an ideal location.

“There is currently no money allocated for the development of a sports park in that location but we may look at zoning 30 hectares of the land in Maddisons Road for such purposes so that we can develop it in the future.

“We will keep the community informed about our plans for the land and no decisions will be made without consultation with residents,’’ Mr Rutledge says.