Darren Coyne
Ballina Shire Council is set to debate whether its cemetery policy discriminates against overweight and tall people.
The council, which meets next Tuesday, will consider its recently advertised Cemetery Management Policy, which sets out fees for burials and other services provided.
One submission received during the advertising period suggested that the policy could be improved in respect to a clause stating that ‘coffins over 2,000mm long, 620mm wide, and 400mm deep, attract an oversize coffin fee.
‘The submission is of the opinion that this clause discriminates against people who are above average in height,’ a report to councillors says.
Staff have pointed out that the oversize coffin fee has been in the council’s fees and charges as far back as the 2010/11 financial year.
‘Its purpose is to cover the cost of additional works involved in shoring up oversize excavations for structural and workplace safety reasons. In 2016/17 the fee is $160,’ the report says.
In a submission to the council, one resident has described the policy as discriminating against tall people.
‘As a person who is over 2.1m tall and not overweight I feel that the additional charge for oversized coffins is discriminating against people who are above average in height,’ the resident argues.
‘Great care is taken to ensure that everyone in society is treated the same and not discriminated against because of their physical characteristics.
‘For example, the cost of installing access ramps or lifts in public buildings for people with mobility difficulties don’t even rate a second thought.
‘These people are not charged for the additional costs of installing the lift or operating the infrastructure.’
Councillors have two options when they meet on Tuesday. They can either adopt the policy as exhibited, or amend the policy by deleting the oversize coffin fee.
The recommendation is to adopt the policy as exhibited ‘based on the fact that there are additional costs incurred with oversized coffins.
Ballina Shire has five operating cemeteries and one closed one.
They are located at East Ballina, Alstonville, Wardell, Tintenbar and Rous, as well as Pioneer Memorial Park on Hill Street, formerly known as the Pioneer Cemetery
And does Ballina Council discriminate against those people who are short …. of a quid.
As Len says does Ballina council discriminate against people who are short on a Quid. Do short people and under weight people get a discount???
Yes this is very discriminatory, especially to tall people who have no choice in the height that they grow too. Fat people well they could try loosing some weight before they die I guess. But basically its the people left behind that generally have to foot the bill for the funeral so why should they pay for someone else’s height or weight.
What an appalling idea. Whoever thought of this one is obviously small and thin!!!