A proposal to convert Carnarvon Golf Course in Lidcombe into a cemetery has sparked community backlash, with the local Labor MP, the council and residents vowing to fight against it.

Lidcombe

The Carnarvon Golf Course in Lidcombe has been identified by the State Government as the preferred site for a new memorial park, intended to address Sydney's projected shortage of burial space by 2032. The proposed development would create 70,000 burial lots on the 45-hectare site, which is currently used daily by local residents for recreation.

The plan has prompted significant opposition from the community, local council, and Labor MP Linda Volz, who argue the golf course is an important community space. The government's cemetery operator stated that over 1,000 potential locations were considered before selecting the site, citing a pressing need for new burial land. Consultation on the proposal is set to continue for eight weeks.

Community fights plans to convert golf course into cemetery

Closed today by the rain, but facing permanent closure by the State Government. They'll all be devastated actually. It's kind of blindsided us a little bit. As Sydney faces running out of burial room by 2032, the Carnarvon golf course at Lidcombe has been confirmed as the preferred site for a new memorial park of 70,000 lots. The community campaign to save it, teeing off. We're trying to stop them turning the parks into a cemetery. This is, for our community, disastrous. Labor MP Linda Volz leading the charge with council backing. My councillors and I are united in our opposition to this proposal. The government's cemetery operator claims it examined more than 1,000 potential locations. We're looking at every pathway, every roadway to try and optimise our sites, but without new land, it is a crisis. It suggests the 45 hectare site could become what it calls a modern memorial park. Supportive faith groups suggesting it would be more welcoming than traditional cemeteries. It's really about community and about inclusion. A place where you can gather together as a community and just come and have a fun day at the cemetery. But golf course operators argue about 200 people already do that every day. We adjust back to back with people using it as an active space. Where would they all go? Well, that's the question they're asking us. This plan is not only controversial in the community, but it's also driving a wedge in the Labor Party. By fighting this proposal, Linda Volz is also essentially fighting her own ministerial colleagues. It doesn't matter if my life's going to be difficult, I'm going to stand up for them and quite frankly, this is an act of bastardry. Consultation on the plan runs for eight weeks.

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Breakdown