Should our cemeteries be places where wild grasses grow?

Wollongong City Council would like your feedback on a grasslands trial that could help beat urban heat and bring new life to a place of remembrance.

Since October 2025, more than 600 native grasses and ground covers have been planted in a section of Wollongong Cemetery. Council says the trial has been so successful that it could branch out across the burial ground and to other city cemeteries.

Landscape architect Kathryn Morgan – who took part in a companion, volunteer-led grasslands project at Wollongong Cemetery – encourages residents to fill out council's survey by this Friday, 4 September.

"People should have their say because the cemetery is an important urban open space for us all to share as a community,” she told the Flame. “I really hope people take this opportunity to support a more efficient, gentle and sustainable approach to public landscape making and management. 

“Business as usual 'mow and blow' is outdated. It creates boring monocultures that do little for biodiversity.

“The grasslands trial has been about care for Country, care for future generations, and care for the insects, birds, soils and plants that still belong, and absolutely can co-exist in our densifying city.”

“Most of all, community support matters because it gives Council confidence to expand this kind of approach and helps shift public expectations about what cared-for landscapes can look like! From working side by side with Council on this project, it’s clear to see Council has the will and capacity for this shift."

A local horticulturist, educator and co-owner of Understorey Landscape Architects, Kathryn has helped out on the Friends’ Plot, a "trial within the trial" of Council's grassland project. Working bees have brought together all sorts of volunteers – neighbours, artists, bush regenerators, children and university students. 

“It's been really fun and I hear all the time anecdotally that people love the idea," Kathryn said. "Now I hope we can get that on paper and in front of Council!”

Cooler city spaces

Wollongong's trial was inspired Victoria's award-winning 'Project Cultivate', which counts Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis among its supporters.

As part of Project Cultivate, more half a million native grasses, wildflowers and groundcovers were planted at Melbourne General Cemetery over two years, lowering ambient air temperature around mulched and planted areas by 3°C, cutting herbicide use by 95 percent, and attracting small birds, grasshoppers, native bees and butterflies.

A visiting Wollongong resident saw this, brought the idea home and suggested council give it a go.

“It's about bringing native vegetation communities back into our urban spaces,” says Paul Gooda, the operations manager for Memorial Gardens and Cemeteries at Wollongong City Council.

"Introducing grasslands into our cemeteries will also reduce herbicide use, decrease the ambient air temperature, increase activity from beneficial insects and birds and improve the soil quality."

Way to combat climate change

Last week Wollongong City Council reported “early positive outcomes”. Sustainable care is also tipped to mean less mowing, targeted weed management and ecological maintenance practices.

“The grassland trial has been a great opportunity to see how we can increase our native vegetation and greenery in urban areas and combat climate change,” Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.

“Our staff continued to take the utmost care during this process at Wollongong Cemetery, with around 600 native plantings taking root so far and have been supported by many wonderful locals.

“Thank you to everyone who has lent a hand in this environmental initiative as part of the Friends Plot volunteer group and have cared for the dedicated area within the trial.

“I encourage residents to keep talking to us about this trial and share your thoughts by filling out our short survey.”

Go to Wollongong City Council's Let’s Talk website. There are just four multiple choice questions.