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Initial designs for Canberra's new cemetery have been revealed, with memorial halls, function rooms and a crematorium. The memorial park on Long Gully Road will have 60,000 burial sites in the next 100 years. City Services Minister Chris Steel said community feedback on the designs would begin in the next few weeks. "The government has been undertaking detailed environmental studies and a staging plan for the development for the new Memorial Park to be ready for consultation with the community," he said. The first stage of the project will include creating road access at the intersection of Long Gully Road and Mugga Lane, as well as car parking, landscaping and the creation of the first burial sites. The finished development will include a visitor centre with memorial halls, function rooms, a florist and crematorium as well as hospitality facilities. "Southern Memorial Park is proposed to be a full-service cemetery set in a natural grassy woodland landscape and is planned to have focus on natural burials, as well providing space for traditional burials," Mr Steel said. "The government has recently undertaken an extensive review of cemeteries and crematoria in the ACT and this is also informing the design of Southern Memorial Park which will cater for our diverse community." Canberra's first publicly-operated crematorium recently opened in Gungahlin. It was designed to cater to the cultural and religious needs of residents. Mr Steel said community consultation on the memorial park design would begin in the coming weeks. "We'll be asking for feedback on features that should be included in the plans such public art, walking and cycling trails, nature play areas for children and landscaping design," he said. "We want Southern Memorial Park to be a space where families, friends and loved ones can gather together to share memories in a beautiful natural bush setting." Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

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