The Minns Labor Government today officially opened the first new Crown cemetery in 85 years at Varroville in Sydney's South-West.
This followed an independent report that found that years of indecision and infighting by the previous government increased the risk that Sydney would run out of cemetery space.
The new $125 million Macarthur Memorial Park, will help ensure future burial supply for Sydney, covering 113 hectares and providing capacity for 136,000 burial plots and over 300,000 ash interments, catering for all religious and ethnic groups.
Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper joined Crown cemetery operator Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria Limited and religious leaders at Macarthur Memorial Park prior to its opening to the public on Wednesday.
Macarthur Memorial Park has been designed as a contemporary cemetery with the local community at heart. It includes 35 hectares of publicly accessible parklands including six lakes and eight kilometres of walking and bike tracks available to the public during daylight hours, as well as a cafe.
For members of the public laying loved ones to rest, Macarthur Memorial Park is primarily a lawn cemetery with areas for natural burial, cremated remains and monumental lawns. There are 20 dedicated burial areas for specific religious and ethnic groups.
The memorial park features three chapels, called The Sanctuary, with seating for up to 500 people, and a separate function centre for a variety of family and community events with seating for 250 people.
Development has been restricted to protect the visual landscape. There will be no headstones visible from nearby roads and screen plantings will conceal burial plots. There are no mausoleum, crypts or crematoria on site.
Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria Limited will manage Macarthur Memorial Park which will remain under the ownership of the NSW Government as a Crown land cemetery.
Premier Chris Minns said:
"Macarthur Memorial Park is a sustainable and multi-denominational cemetery that will provide burial space to Sydney families for generations to come while also providing the local community with much needed recreation space.
"The new Crown cemetery will ensure thousands of people can continue to lay loved ones to rest, and that we can continue to offer burial space to meet the religious and cultural needs of those for which burial is the only option."
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:
"The cemeteries sector has been in a crisis. Macarthur Memorial Park is the first crown cemetery to open in nearly a century and ensures that people of all faiths will benefit from this facility.
"It is imperative that the people of NSW have access to sustainable and affordable burial and cremation services that are respectful of culture and faith and provided in a compassionate and accountable way.
"The Minns Labor government has prioritised addressing the serious challenges around cemeteries and crematoria inherited from the previous government.
"We have reformed the Crown cemetery sector and are implementing our strategy with strong consumer protections, sustainable practices to encourage new burial supply, and certainty for operators.
Member for Leppington, Nathan Hagarty said:
"This new Macarthur Memorial Park is a welcome addition to South-West Sydney.
"It ensures access to culturally appropriate burial options, meeting the needs of a growing and diverse community.
"It's a place where families can honour their loved ones, and where locals can enjoy peaceful, open space.
"It reflects the values of respect, inclusion, and forward planning."
Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria Chief Executive Officer Lauren Hardgrove said:
"We are delighted to provide this park for the people of NSW and look forward to the community embracing this unique facility in the Scenic Hills."
