Remembrance Parks Central Victoria is poised to take over operations of two cemeteries in the Greater Shepparton region.
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The Pine Lodge (in Shepparton East) and Kialla West cemetery trusts agreed at April meetings to transfer governance and operations responsibilities to a Class A Cemetery Trust.
The RPCV currently manages remembrance parks in Eaglehawk, Bendigo, White Hills, Kangaroo Flat and Axedale along with the Central Victoria Crematorium in Eaglehawk.
RPCV chairwoman Pam Macdonald said a great deal of thought and work went into planning for the cemeteries’ transition.
“Work has been undertaken to ensure the transfer of cemetery operations is completed in a timely and appropriate manner, to ensure accurate information and data integrity is upheld and that communities continue their sense of connection to these important sites,” Ms Macdonald said.
“RPCV will maintain the current standards of maintenance delivered by Greater Shepparton City Council”.
Greater Shepparton City Council currently governs the two cemeteries but the opportunity to transfer management developed due to a lack of flexibility present with a local council managing both cemetery operations and governance.
Council began discussions with the RPCV to transfer management more than 12 months ago.
Greater Shepparton City Council community director Kaye Thomson said the transfer of the cemeteries to a dedicated cemetery organisation would create efficiencies and ensure high standards are maintained.
“Council believes there will be efficiencies in another organisation managing operations and governance where cemeteries are their core business,” Ms Thomson said.
“There will be a seamless transition of the Trusts to RPCV with current reservations and a high standard of management maintained.”
The transition will also ensure the community has access to a range of educational opportunities to help plan for after life care and remembrance.