Taruheru Cemetery upgrades under way; ready for Anzac Day

A Gisborne District Council aerial map of Taruheru Cemetery shows (in yellow) the RSA section and (in red) the other blocks which are undergoing upgrading work in the run-up to Anzac Day.

Visitors to Taruheru Cemetery over the coming weeks will notice work happening in some areas.

Ongoing rain events and a high water table have resulted in parts of the ground being uneven, making it unsafe for visitors and difficult for the cemetery team to maintain, a Gisborne District Council spokeswoman said in a statement.

Work started today in the RSA area, to ensure it will be reinstated in time for Anzac Day, before moving to blocks 26, 28, 30, 36, 38 and 40.

The grass is being sprayed and the ground relevelled before additional topsoil is brought in.

The work is expected to take around four weeks and may include watering the new grass should there be insufficient rain.

Memorabilia and flowers on the affected grass area were carefully relocated to the berm before work started

Access to the work areas could be restricted if machinery is being operated.

Visitors are asked to be aware of contractors and machinery and avoid walking on the new grass until it is established.

Work on preparing the extension of the cemetery will start on Monday, March 10.

It will include relevelling, installing a new fence and bollards along the front, and preparing new ash gardens.

Ash garden spaces will be available for purchase once the work is completed.