Community
29 September, 2023
Crosses in defiance
A GORDONVALE man has installed a second permanent aluminum cross at the town’s cemetery – this time at his grave site – in breach of Cairns Regional Council regulations.
Tony Gibbs is already in hot water with the council after he erected a similar cross at the grave of his late wife Donna Gibbs earlier this month without making an application.
He has been ordered to remove his wife’s cross by the council by today or it will be taken down by local authority staff.
Mr Gibbs said he expected the council would demand he remove the second cross, which was put in place last Saturday.
The 75-year-old told Cairns Local News he had erected the crosses because he was getting older, had no children to help him and had relied on a friend to assist who was leaving Cairns soon.
The council has sent Mr Gibbs a second letter inviting him to make an application for the first cross.
“But the form doesn’t conform. There is no provision for crosses on the form, just vaults, headstones and plaques,” he said.
Mr Gibbs said he was “a battling pensioner” and could not afford the application fees.
“It’s not a headstone, there is no provision for a cross,” he said.
Mr Gibbs said the crosses had been built by engineers using 100mm box section aluminum at a local company.
“They’ve all been done professionally but they say they don’t comply,” he said.
“They were $400 each plus I paid for cement and a wheelbarrow. Wooden crosses don’t last. They fall apart after three to four years.
“The precedent has already been set. There’s already one in the cemetery, it’s been there for about seven years.
“The council don’t want a threat to the city’s stonemasons by having people put in their own memorials.”
There are at least 20 crosses in the cemetery.
Council says cemetery crosses have not been approved
Of the 20 crosses, all are timber except for the sole aluminum one.
Mr Gibbs said he hoped the council would show some compassion and allow the crosses to remain.
“I hope they don’t (remove them). It will be terrible if they pull out the crosses,” he said.
“I’m just hoping for some commonsense.”
Council lifestyle and community director Destry Puia said the council understood that “memorials are a sensitive and important part of the grieving process, and we aim to work with loved ones to ensure that memorials are fitting tributes”.
“Council had further contact with the individual to outline the correct process required to ensure the cemetery remains a respectful place for everyone,” he said.
“For installing a permanent cross, selection of the headstone category on the form would apply.
“This memorial has not been approved, has not been installed by a monumental mason and is encroaching on nearby areas, including the reserved grave.
“As it stands, council will be unable to dig the reserved grave when the time comes as the cross will obstruct the area.
“Council recently adopted a Cairns Cemetery Strategy and Policy, which sets out guiding principles for council-operated cemeteries and is committed to implementing these changes with the utmost respect and consideration for the affected families.”
