Concerns have been raised about falling fences, potholes and neglect at the Werribee Cemetery.
A woman contacted Star Weekly last week, saying that she and other residents were “outraged” by the state of the grounds and maintenance at Werribee Cemetery.
She said she had contacted Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, which runs the cemetery, but “… all the complaints have gone unheeded”.
The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, supplied photographs of a collapsing fence that divides the cemetery from houses.
“Furthermore, rocks have been placed in the trenches alongside the dirt road to stop flooding,” she said.
“The elderly are in danger of hurting themselves and other visitors injuring [their] ankles … trying to access graves of loved ones. Disabled and wheelchair residents cannot visit the graves of their loved ones because they will be stuck in potholes.”
The woman said the Werribee Cemetery “always seems to be neglected”.
Trust acting communications manager Leigh Funston said a contractor had been engaged to replace the cemetery’s damaged timber fence.
“Work on the new fence is scheduled to commence on March 28, weather conditions permitting,” he said.
Mr Funston said the existing fence had been damaged by high winds and that the trust would pay for all costs associated with the erection of the new fencing.
He said that the trust’s efforts to minimise the impact of flooding at the cemetery had involved placing rocks in roadside water drains.
“This initiative has overcome the problem of the drains filling with debris and the water not flowing to the stormwater pits,” he said.
“Designated pathways, which are constructed of crushed rock, allow access over the drains.”
He said there were no current plans to replace the crushed rock pathways with concrete paths or upgrade existing roadways at Werribee Cemetery.
Mr Funston said regular maintenance works were conducted at all Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust cemeteries.
“If members of the local community have any queries or concerns, we would encourage them to call our customer care team on 1300 022 298 or enquiries@gmct.com.au,” he said.
