Statement on Genesis Lake Remediation Project - Friday 18 August 2023

Statement on Genesis Lake Remediation Project - Friday 18 August 2023

The Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) is committed to ensuring Bunurong Memorial Park grounds are safe and a place of peaceful reflection for the community.

Over a three year period, wet weather has caused a significant deterioration of the grounds surrounding Genesis Lake. In some places, conditions around the lake edge risk damaging memorials and pose a safety risk to visitors. This has been verified by expert engineering advice.

Against this backdrop, SMCT is undertaking major essential works to remediate the Genesis Lake edge and as part of these works a limited number of memorials have been temporarily relocated to help preserve precious remains.

We are aware that concerns have been raised about this work and are currently addressing these as a priority. We remain committed to ensuring families continue to be kept up to date in a clear and timely manner, prior to, during and following project completion expected in around December this year.

SMCT welcomes contact from any individual or family who has concerns about our work on the Genesis Lake project. The team can be contacted on (03) 8558 8278 or via email enquires@smct.org.au

We recognise that this may be a challenging and delicate period, and we are committed to providing our utmost assistance to those who could be affected.

Please direct all media enquiries to Steve Michelson on 0427 906 100