The site of a new crematorium on the Taieri has become a hive of activity, with earthworks and foundation construction under way.
The Dunedin City Council has issued Hope and Sons with its final consent - a building consent - and the Ministry of Health also issued approval to construct the crematorium late last week.
Managing funeral director Michael Hope said the Dukes Rd North facility had already received a 35-year air discharge permit from the Otago Regional Council, and all the approvals paved the way for construction to begin.
The next, and last, step was to apply for permission to operate the crematorium, he said.
Despite still having one last hurdle to overcome, modern state-of-the-art cremation equipment had been ordered and was expected to arrive in June.
Mr Hope said the facility would look much like a house from the road.
There would be no large chimney or high-walled building because there was no provision for a large chapel on-site.
However, the facility would have privacy and parking, with landscaped surrounding and tranquil views.
Inside the building, the equipment would be leading technology, making it a ''world-class facility'', he said.
It was hoped the crematorium would be operational by October.
Mr Hope said he envisaged being the main provider of cremation services in Dunedin, Mosgiel, and the region within the next three years.
