The Scenic Hills Association is urging people against plans for Macarthur Memorial Park at Varroville to register to speak at an Independent Planning Commission public meeting later this month.
The association says a government report issued in 2017 shows there’s no shortage of burial space in the South West Sydney region.
“This proposed cemetery is to take the overflow from other parts of Sydney,’’ says Jacqui Kirkby, the convenor of the association, pictured.
“If we don’t speak out, Campbelltown will continue to be dumped on and we’ll lose our Scenic Hills and our heritage.’’
The Commission meeting will be held on Monday, March 25 at Camden Lakeside, Raby Road, Gledswood Hills.
The association says anyone who wants to speak must register by 5pm on Monday, March 18 by completing aRegistration Formand emailing it to ipcn@ipcn.nsw.gov.au
The form and more information is on the Commission’s website.
Ms Kirkby says the assessment of the cemetery development application was taken away from Campbelltown City Council, which was opposed to the plans , and handed over to the Commission in June last year.
The Department of Planning has now taken over the assessment of the cemetery for the Commission.
Ms Kirkby hopes that local residents are able to have their say at the public meeting on March 25.
“At the Joint Regional Planning Panel hearing into the rezoning of the Varroville land in 2016 even directly affected landowners, including the owners of Varro Ville Homestead in the middle of the cemetery, couldn’t get a seat in the chamber,’’ Ms Kirkby said.
“The association has written to the Commission asking it to ensure that this isn’t repeated and that locals opposing the cemetery and those speaking for heritage and environment get their fair say,’’ she said.
People can also make written submissions by email or post. The Commission’s contact details are:
Email: ipcn@ipcn.nsw.gov.au
Post: Independent Planning Commission NSW, Level 3, 201 Elizabeth Street, SYDNEY NSW 2000.
For information visit the Scenic Hills Association Inc. website: www.scenichills.org.au
