Akatārawa Cemetery Development

• Project typeInfrastructure
• Project value$4.275M (Design of Stages 1 - 3, and development of Stages 1&2)'
• Project scheduleDeveloped Design
• Contractor nameSynergine Group Limited

Akatārawa Cemetery is set for an expansion with a project underway that will see the development of a block of adjacent land.

Overview

Akatārawa Cemetery is set for expansion with a project underway that will see the development of an additional block of adjacent land to meet demand. 

The cemetery provides burial and ashes interment services to both Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt cities. However, it’s approaching its capacity.  

Based on our current burial and ashes interment rates, we estimate that Akatārawa Cemetery will have capacity for new burials and ashes interments for the next 5 – 7 years. 

To ensure we can meet future demand, we’re working with Hutt City Council to develop a block of land next to the current cemetery. 

Concept development for the expansion was undertaken in June 2017. Both Councils provided for the expansion in their Long-Term Plans and anticipated that development would begin in 2022/2023.  

In October 2022, Synergine was contracted by Council to advance the 2017 Concept Development Plan (2017 CDP). An outline plan for enabling works was prepared, submitted, and approved in February 2024 (see map below of 2017 CDP)

To support the enabling works, a rough access track along the 2017 CDP road layout (up to the stream crossing) was cleared. The enabling works included spot surveying, mapping of waterways, ecological and freshwater investigations, and geotechnical investigations.

2017 CDP

Site investigations and surveying completed in 2023 have revealed that the topography and ecology on site differed to that previously understood. Consequently, some adjustments to the 2017 CDP were necessary to respond to environmental constraints onsite. Notable changes include re-routing the road and reducing some interment areas to respond to environmental constraints within the development site. 

In December 2023 both Councils approved the changes. The 2023 concept development plan, illustrated on the map below, outlines areas now identified for potential interment and it shows the two phases of development.

Additional enabling works, surveying and site investigations are required due to the alternate road layout proposed, these will get underway in the first half of 2024. Once they are complete, we’ll be ready to begin the more in-depth design process and we will work with key groups on the expansion plan.  

The project also gives us the opportunity to consider emerging burial trends and cultural requirements, and to enhance the open space and cemetery services. 

We plan to share the proposed design with the Hutt Valley community later in 2024 and consider ideas on future burial options and cemetery features that we could investigate further as part of the development and future operations. 

If you have any questions, please get in touch at Akatārawacemeteryproject@uhcc.govt.nz. 

2023 CDP

Phase one includes stages 1 and 2 (developing now)

Phase two includes stage 3 (development start date to be confirmed)

Community engagement 

We plan to share the proposed design with the Hutt Valley community in 2024.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please get in touch at akatarawacemeteryproject@uhcc.govt.nz.

Project updates

Click on a month below to view.

March 2023

• Between December 2022 and February 2023, several specialist investigations have been happening, including ecological and freshwater surveys.

• The next step is a geotechnical investigation.

• In March, an access track following the likely path of the future cemetery roadways will be cleared to allow access for geotechnical investigation vehicles. Several test pits will be dug and then filled in, with the area gated off once the investigation is complete.

• The cleared track is not for public use because it is a development site, removal of wood or soil from the site by members of the public is not permitted either.

• These investigations will help shape the design of the cemetery expansion which we plan to share in late 2023.

 

October 2023

• An access track following the likely path of the future cemetery roadways was cleared to support surveying and geotechnical investigations. The track is not for public use; it is gated to restrict access to the development site and keep the public safe.
• Geotechnical investigations are now complete.
• Through the enabling works, site investigations, and surveying completed during 2023 we have learned that the topography and ecology on site differs to that previously understood.
• We are now undertaking design options analysis to inform decision making.
• We anticipate sharing the developed design with the community in 2024.

March 2024

Site investigations and surveying completed in 2023 have revealed that the topography and ecology on site differed to that previously understood. Consequently, some adjustments to the 2017 CDP were necessary to respond to environmental constraints onsite. Notable changes include re-routing the road and reducing some interment areas to respond to environmental constraint within the development site. 

 

In December 2023 both Councils approved the changes. The 2023 concept development plan, illustrated on the map below, outlines areas now identified for potential interment and it shows the two phases of development. 

Additional enabling works, surveying and site investigations are required due to the alternate road layout proposed, these will get underway in the first half of 2024. Once they are complete, we’ll be ready to begin the more in-depth design process and we will work with key groups on the expansion plan.  

The project also gives us the opportunity to consider emerging burial trends and cultural requirements, and to enhance the open space and cemetery services. 

We plan to share the proposed design with the Hutt Valley community later in 2024 and consider ideas on future burial options and cemetery features that we could investigate further as part of the development and future operations. 

If you have any questions, please get in touch at Akatārawacemeteryproject@uhcc.govt.nz.

2023 CDP 

 

Phase one includes stages 1 and 2 (developing now)

Phase two includes stage 3 (development start date to be confirmed)

 

 

Location

Akatārawa Cemetery, Akatarawa 5372  View Map

-41.08675540000001,175.1047243

Akatārawa Cemetery , Akatarawa 5372

Akatārawa Cemetery , Akatarawa 5372

Akatārawa Cemetery Development