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Extreme Weather Event

16 February 2024

Our sites and some of our services have been impacted by extreme weather.

For our community’s health and safety, we recommend visitors consider their need to attend SMCT sites. There is significant debris across our sites, and we ask visitors to exercise caution and avoid any fallen trees or branches.

We appreciate your patience while our teams work to rectify our sites, and we are aware it may take some time for our beautiful grounds to recover.

There are no impacts to services.

If you notice any damage to your family memorial or monuments caused by the recent storm, please let us know via our feedback form.

Impacts 5/3/24

  • The Office of Australian War Graves has advised public access to all areas of the Springvale Gardens of Remembrance has recommenced after tree works.

Impacts 28/2/24

  • Community members are advised to be cautious when coming on site today due to extreme weather conditions -- high temperatures and strong winds are forecast
  • The Office of Australian War Graves has advised that due to ongoing tree safety in the Springvale Gardens of Remembrance, public access to walls 3, 95, 97, 99,101 and 103 has been temporarily closed off. For more information visit the Office of Australian War Graves website

Impacts 16/2/24

  • Dandenong Community Cemetery has been re-opened to the public.

Impacts 15/2/24

  • All services across our sites have resumed as normal.
  • Some restricted areas remain at Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Bunurong Memorial Park while recovery works take place. Please proceed with caution, follow any signage, and avoid areas that have been marked off.
  • Café Vita has resumed outdoor activities.

Impacts 14/2/24

  • Due to severe weather damage, Dandenong Community Cemetery is closed to the public until further notice.
  • Some roads at Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Bunurong Memorial Park have limited access due to fallen trees. Please exercise caution when on site.
  • There is no pedestrian access to Springvale Botanical Cemetery via Police Road. Visitors are encouraged to use Princes Highway entrance for vehicle access.
  • Some scheduled services at Springvale Botanical Cemetery on 14 February may be affected.

Further updates will be made via this page in due course.

Storm damage FAQs

Can I visit Springvale Botanical Cemetery/Bunurong Memorial Park?

For our community’s health and safety, we recommend visitors consider their need to attend SMCT sites at present. There is significant debris across our sites, and we ask visitors to exercise caution and avoid any fallen trees or branches.

It may take some time to recover from the damage, and we thank our community for their patience during this time.

Can I visit Dandenong Community Cemetery?

Due to significant storm damage, Dandenong Community Cemetery is closed to the public until further notice. Our teams continue to assess the damage and recovery process and will provide updates as they are available. We thank you for your patience during this time.

Are any roads closed due to the damage? If so, what roads?

Some roads at Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Bunurong Memorial Park have limited access due to fallen trees. Please exercise caution when on site. There is no pedestrian access to Springvale Botanical Cemetery via Police Road, and we encourage vehicles to enter via Princes Highway.

Are services impacted?

Burials are continuing as usual. Some services at Springvale Botanical Cemetery on 14 February may be affected but all services have now resumed.

Functions and our cafe and florist at Bunurong Memorial Park and Springvale Botanical Cemetery are operating as usual. While these sites are open to the public, we advise caution as you plan your visit consider if you could visit at another time.

Are burials impacted?

Burials have not been impacted and are expected to continue

I’ve found a damaged monument, how can I let SMCT know?

If you notice damage to your family memorial or monuments caused by the recent storm, please let us know via our feedback form.

How long will it take for the grounds to get back to normal?

The severe storms have caused widespread significant damage across our sites; in particular at Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Dandenong Community Cemetery. We do not currently have a timeframe in place for complete recovery. However, we can let you know that our teams are assessing the extent of the damage across all our sites and are working to safely restore our beautiful grounds. We appreciate your patience during this time.

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