Tidy up at Settlers’ Cemetery planned

Tidy up at Settlers' Cemetery planned

9 February 2015

Settlers' Cemetery is being given an upgrade with new fencing and the removal of two trees that are likely to affect graves.

The cemetery is located on Gascoigne Reserve near the St John ambulance depot. The fence is rotting in places and will be removed and replaced in early March. The work has been cleared with the Historic Places Trust.

District parks and recreation manager John Ridd said the new fence would improve the area, giving the cemetery the attractive aesthetic it deserved as the resting place of fallen settlers. This is a point of interest for visitors to Taupo and we want it to reflect its importance to our district, he said.

The two cypress trees that pose a risk to graves were originally planned for removal last year. The trees were planted after the construction of the cemetery and have no known historical significance.

Mr Ridd said the removal of trees was not ideal, but in this case they were a potential hazard. The cultural and historical significance of these graves means we need to protect them, he said.

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Lisa Nairne Communications Manager 07 376 0762 027 839 8410

Vicki Waterhouse Communications Advisor 07 376 0718 027 484 2549

Taupo District Council

www.taupo.govt.nz