Memorial Garden to Honour Bus Crash Victims Underway
Cessnock City Council has started construction on a memorial garden dedicated to the victims of the tragic bus crash on June 11, 2023.
The crash claimed 10 lives and injured 25, deeply affecting the community. The Council, in collaboration with the victims’ families, aims to create a lasting tribute.
Located less than 1km from the crash site, along the Branxton to Greta Memorial Shared Pathway, the garden will offer a tranquil space for remembrance.
The garden will feature 10 Pyrus Calleryana trees, each representing a lost life, with individual plaques bearing messages from the families. Low planted mounds and native grasses will create a peaceful environment, screened from the road, with a sandstone wall and seating areas.
Mayor Jay Suvaal expressed gratitude to those involved, including the NSW Government for their financial support, and confirmed the garden will be completed by June 11, 2024, marking the crash’s first anniversary.
“The crash over the Kings Birthday long weekend last year profoundly impacted our region and the country,” said Mayor Suvaal. “The memorial garden will provide a safe, peaceful, and respectful place for families, residents, and visitors to pay their respects.”
A memorial plaque will also be placed at the crash site on the Hunter Expressway. The Council is exploring options for a more significant memorial closer to the crash site in the future.