Council seeks community comment on proposed Memorial Park

Photo of proposed location for Memorial Park

Council is seeking public comment on the planning proposal for a memorial park at the intersection of Old Cooma Road and Burra Road.

“Councils have an obligation to plan for the long term provision of critical social infrastructure, including cemeteries, for the future. The Queanbeyan Lawn Cemetery on Lanyon Drive is nearing capacity and we need to find a new location,” Mayor Cr Tim Overall said.

“Council initially conducted a search based on the criteria we needed for a cemetery and eight specific properties were considered. All but one failed due to environmental/geotechnical assessment or were not available for acquisition.”

“Since that time we have completed a number of studies as required by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, and now is the time to seek community feedback on the proposal.”

Throughout late 2017 and 2018, studies for flora and fauna, traffic, visual and noise assessment, heritage (both Aboriginal and European), geotechnical and hydrological as well as a social impact assessment survey were completed.

In October 2018, the NSW Natural Resources Access Regulator advised Council to undertake further groundwater studies and to monitor groundwater levels and quality for a minimum of 12 months. After a dry 2019, this period was extended in order to ensure the wet weather at the beginning of 2020 was also included in the study.

The planning proposal in effect will amend Queanbeyan Local Environmental Plan 2012 by adding the term ‘cemetery’ to Schedule 1 Additional Permitted Uses for these particular lots. The site is currently zoned E4 Environmental Living and a cemetery is not permitted with consent in the land use table.

The background studies and Summary Report prepared to inform the planning proposal will be available from 24 August until 5 October 2020 on our website at https://yourvoice.qprc.nsw.gov.au

After this period of consultation, the proposal and all necessary studies as well as a report on community engagement will be sent to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for Ministerial approval. If approved, concept designs will be developed which will also be placed on public exhibition.

/Public Release. View in full here.