General News
21 October, 2025
Dead pet venue approved
A PET crematorium has been approved at Aeroglen despite the objections of more than 70 residents.
Cairns Regional Council approved the application in a former veterinary clinic originally established in 1974 in Aeroglen Drive.
Cr Cathy Zeiger (Div. 3) told last month’s council meeting that she acknowledged the concerns of residents and undertook due diligence to educate herself and to be able to respond to those concerns.
“Now, aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, it’s becoming a more widely acceptable and environmentally-friendly used option, instead of the standard fire cremation for both humans and animals,” she said.
“So, it’s amazing. It’s a really big thing overseas. There is no smell. It does not emit smoke, as it uses water.
“Soft bones are left at the end of the process, which are easily crushed, similar to ashes from a standard cremation, and then given to the owner.”
Cr Zeiger said it was a safe and environmentally-friendly alternative to cremation.
“The solution is non-toxic and does not pose any risk to people or the environment,” she said.
Cr Rob Pyne (Div 5) said the Aeroglen community had told him “in no uncertain terms that they do not support this material change of use in relation to this proposal”.
“I have received media articles confirming that a facility using the same process as this has had a significant leak in Townsville. In that case, it was liquid from human remains that escaped the site. Horrified residents were told by (the) council at the time to use kitty litter to soak it up,” he said.
“I would be horrified to see anything like that happen in Cairns.”
Aeroglen resident Dr Carli Westmore, in a submission to the council, said she, her family and neighbourhood were “strongly opposed to the creation of pet crematorium – aka dead body disposal unit – three doors from my family home in the quiet leafy family suburb of Aeroglen”.
“It is ill-fitting for this site which is a heritage-listed carriageway suburb clearly stating that any business of that site must be specifically for the benefit of the community such as a small corner store,” she said.
