Bass Coast Shire Council currently manages the Wonthaggi and San Remo cemeteries. Over a two-year period, Council conducted a review of cemetery operations to determine the best way to manage the cemeteries into the future. Council is not an expert in managing cemeteries and we are currently only able to provide a minimum service offering.

A range of alternate options were considered with Council supporting the voluntary transfer of management to a Class A cemetery.

Council believes the community would benefit from the voluntary transfer of the Wonthaggi Cemetery Trust and the San Remo Cemetery Trust to the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT). SMCT are specialists in the management of cemeteries and currently manage nine other cemeteries in southern Victoria. They deliver higher maintenance standards and bring a level of expertise, experience and economy of scale that surpasses what Council can offer.

Consultation is now closed.

With the Department of Health's approval for the voluntary transfer of the Wonthaggi and San Remo Cemeteries from Bass Coast Shire Council to SMCT, Council will collaborate closely with SMCT to ensure a seamless transition

Once the transition is complete on 1 February 2025, this page will be updated to confirm the successful transfer.