PART ONE - Fishers Ghost

Importantly, the issue of a new cemetery within the Campbelltown LGA needs to beproperly considered within the broader context of strategic land use planning for theSydney Region. In this respect, it is noted that the NSW Government's MetropolitanStrategy (2005) and the South West Subregion Draft Subregional Strategy (2007)acknowledge the need for planning for burial space. The Metropolitan Strategy ActionE3.6 - Planning for Burial Space states:“There is a need for strategic planning to ensure adequate burial space isavailable to meet long term needs. It is appropriate that opportunities toestablish new cemeteries be considered in strategic planning in the SydneyRegion, particularly in recognition of competing pressures from other land uses.To facilitate this planning the first step is for site selection criteria to beestablished.”The South West Subregion Draft Subregional Strategy also includes an actionrelating directly to cemeteries. Action SW E3.6.1 states:“The Department of Planning with the Department of Lands to establish siteselection criteria for new cemeteries in the Sydney Region to be used inassessment of opportunities for identifying future sites in strategic planning.”At this stage, the Department of Planning and the Department of Lands have notestablished the site selection criteria indicated under the South West Subregion DraftSubregional Strategy. Consequently, there are currently no firm proposals for anynew cemeteries or crematoriums within the Campbelltown LGA, and as such thereare no opportunities to examine a trial of natural burials within the LGA.ConclusionAt its meeting on 16 November 2010, Shoalhaven City Council considered a reporton natural burials, and resolved to undertake a 2 year trial of this type of burialservice within an existing Council owned and operated cemetery at the ShoalhavenMemorial Garden and Lawn Cemetery. After this period, it is intended to report backto Council on the uptake and feasibility of providing this alternative burial service tothe community.Within the Campbelltown LGA, there are no cemeteries that are owned or managedby Campbelltown City Council. The existing church cemeteries within theCampbelltown LGA are at capacity. Given that there are no plans to open any newcemeteries within the Campbelltown LGA, and that Council does not own or manageany such facilities, there are no opportunities for Council to conduct a natural burialtrial similar to that being undertaken by Shoalhaven City Council.Officer's RecommendationThat the information be noted.