The Central Otago District Council and CCB had been making plans to expand the cemetery for several years.
Approval was given for a draft proposal plan, which meant the developing stage of the extension could begin.
Funding for the extension had been added to the 2025-34 long-term plan.
The first stage would involve planting a 5m buffer of native and exotic plants around the new area to act as a visual barrier to the industrial development beyond the cemetery.
A new entry would also be formed off Cemetery Rd, with a new cemetery layout, suitable internal plantings and a new carpark planned for the first stage.
Established in 1879 as a dryland cemetery, rabbits have been an issue for many years, mainly due to the surrounding former grass areas which are now being developed, minimising rabbit habitat.
To take advantage of this reduction in suitable surrounding rabbit habitat, the council undertook a successful poison drop last winter.
Having been encouraged by the results and with some residual rabbits still needing control, the council is planning another poison drop this winter.
The cemetery is divided into three sections — a section for returned service veterans, a memorial wall area and ashes and interment sites.
The decision was to keep the cemetery a dryland cemetery and continue this into future stages, only irrigating trees, not grass, council parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey said.
This means the grass will always be brown in summer. Graves are topped up in spring and autumn when grass is sown.
The council’s maintenance contractors would regularly top up sunken graves and rabbit holes as required, he said.
Cromwell’s Anzac Day services would be held at the cemetery this year as the new Cromwell Hall and memorial garden are being developed.
"Work is continuously being undertaken to ensure that the cemetery looks its best for this day as is the practice with all council cemeteries," Mr Bailey said.
The CCB will receive the final plan for stage 1 development for approval at next month’s meeting.
Construction is expected to start next year depending on securing appropriate contractors.
— APL
