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Submissions

Christchurch City Council Whakatā Templeton Cemetery

Posted in Submission, Regional; Tagged Accessibility; Posted 8 months ago by DPA Less than a minute to read

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To: Christchurch City Council
Date: July 2025

 

Purpose

This submission provides feedback to the Christchurch City Council on the Whakatā Templeton Cemetery development project, supporting its inclusive approach while offering recommendations for further accessibility improvements to ensure full access for disabled people and their families.

Summary of DPA submission

DPA expressed support for the Christchurch City Council's Whakatā Templeton Cemetery development, welcoming its inclusive focus on greater accessibility for all, including disabled people, and the establishment of a shared interfaith, multicultural ceremonial space. DPA was also pleased with the plans for an adequate number of accessible toilets. The submission commended the council for its consultation efforts with Māori and local communities and requested that disabled people and disability organisations be key stakeholders in any future consultations regarding cemeteries in Christchurch City.

While generally supportive, DPA offered several recommendations for the new cemetery accessibility improvements. These include building the new interfaith ceremonial space to universal design accessibility standards, incorporating features like suitable lighting, wide doorways, audio loops for D/deaf and hard of hearing people, accessible toilets, and single-level entry. DPA also recommended using compact aggregate surfacing for all footpaths to provide a smoother surface for wheelchair and mobility device users and installing seating of varying heights throughout the cemetery.

Furthermore, DPA requested that the children’s remembrance area be accessible to disabled people, with sufficient space for mobility aid users and adequate accessible seating.

 

Key Recommendation/Finding:

DPA recommends that Council build the new interfaith ceremonial space to universal design accessibility standards and that Council use compact aggregate surfacing for all footpaths at the new cemetery to ensure smoother mobility for disabled people.

 

Supporting Statement 1:

The ceremonial space should incorporate accessibility features such as suitable lighting, wide doorways, audio loops to support D/deaf and hard of hearing people using hearing aids, accessible toilets and single level entry, amongst other features.

 

Supporting Statement 2:

DPA recommends that seating of varying heights is installed throughout the cemetery/memorial park so that everyone, including disabled people, can easily get on and off seating.

 
 

 

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DPA Submission 2507 Christchurch City Council Whakatā Templeton Cemetery

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