Carnarvon Golf Course Update to Members and Local Residents - January 2026

Dear Members and Local Residents,

Current Status of the MMP Proposal to Convert the Course into a Cemetery

As we enter 2026, the board and I wanted to provide a clear and up-to-date overview of the ongoing situation regarding the Metropolitan Memorial Parks (MMP) proposal to repurpose our Carnarvon Golf Course site as a cemetery.  This update draws from recent communications with MMP representatives, government statements, parliamentary discussions, and community feedback. While there have been no major breakthroughs since late 2025, the proposal remains active and our advocacy efforts continue to play a crucial role in shaping the outcome.

Background and Proposal Details
The NSW State Government, through MMP, has identified Carnarvon Golf Course as a preferred site for a new cemetery to address Sydney's projected shortage of burial spaces.  MMP reviewed over 1,000 potential locations against criteria like suitability, accessibility, and environmental factors before selecting our 45-hectare site.  This stems from long-term planning to tackle "30 years of inaction" on burial needs, as noted by Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper.

The proposal involves converting the course into a "memorial park," which MMP promotes as a community space.  However, this has faced strong pushback due to the loss of recreational green space in Western Sydney, where urban density is increasing.

Importantly, our lease remains secure until 2035, as confirmed directly by Minister Kamper. This provides stability in the short term, but the site's long-term future is uncertain, with no official decision yet on post-2035 use.

Community Consultation and Feedback Process
The NSW Government, again through the MMP and consultants, commenced a formal community consultation period in late-2025, allowing stakeholders to submit feedback on the proposal.  The consultation closed on 19 October 2025, and a formal report to the minister was due by the end of 2025.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly negative from local groups.  Cumberland City Council unanimously voted to oppose the conversion in February and July 2025, launching a "Save Carnarvon Golf Course" campaign and calling for the site to be removed from consideration.  The council highlights the site's value as 45 hectares of open green space - equivalent to over 63 football fields - and its role in community recreation, environmental benefits, and cultural significance to the Darug people and Western Sydney.

In communications with Denise Ora from MMP, collated community feedback was to be presented to the government by late 2025.  However, details on the public report summarizing this feedback - including key themes, submission categories, and how it influences the decision - remain unclear.

Local MP Lynda Voltz has criticized the plan as a "fait accompli," pointing to inconsistencies in government statements and the lack of viable alternatives presented.  Parliamentary questions have probed alternatives, social/recreational impacts, and the broader loss of green space, but responses emphasize Carnarvon's suitability as Crown land.  A paper petition with over 10,000 signatures, presented by Ms. Voltz, was debated in the NSW Legislative Assembly in front of a full public gallery, on 13 November 2025, highlighting strong community opposition.  The Minister provided a response on 18 November 2025, reiterating that no final decision has been made.

Key Concerns and Our Advocacy
From our ongoing preparations and submissions (including documents submitted and our independent legal advice late in 2025), the main arguments against the proposal include:

Environmental and Health Risks
The site is prone to flooding, contamination, and geotechnical issues, making it unsuitable for burials.  Preserving it as a golf course supports biodiversity, mental health, and physical activity for the community.

Economic and Social Impacts
Conversion could devalue nearby properties (with reports of 20-30% declines in local home values since the proposal leaked), reduced recreational access in Auburn, Lidcombe and surrounds, and undermine NSW's Transport Oriented Development (TOD) goals for sustainable green spaces.  This uncertainty is causing real harm, including mental health crises, disrupted retirement plans, and cultural distress for multicultural communities.  Data from Golf Australia (2023-2024) estimates our course contributes significantly to local economy, jobs, and social benefits.  For our members, this threatens a generational social and sporting hub - impacting juniors (as young as 9) who rely on it for safe after-school activity and seniors (up to 95) who depend on it for exercise and companionship.

Alternatives Available
Sites like Varroville (Macarthur Memorial Park) offer 136,000 burial plots without sacrificing active recreational land.  Other locations have been raised but dismissed by MMP without full transparency.

Process Shortcomings
The consultation has been criticized for focusing on a single site with no clear backup plan, limited stakeholder involvement, and potential policy inconsistencies (e.g., Minister Kamper's varying statements on burial space urgency).

Our board has pursued multiple strategies, including

• Political lobbying and GIPA applications for MMP's site suitability studies.
• Community events, such as open days, rallies and the panel discussion with Denise Ora and Lynda Voltz.
• Submissions emphasizing long-term improvements to the course to make alternative decisions more challenging.

Legal advice highlights options like challenging the proposal through community opposition and evidence of unsuitability, though no formal decision has triggered legal action yet.

Current Situation as of January 2026

• No final decision has been made by Minister Kamper or the government.
• The proposal is still under review, with ongoing monitoring of developments like Landcare's withdrawal from site collaboration.
• The MMPs Community Consultation Report was due by year end (2025) to the Minister.  We have had differing reports but believe at this stage it has not yet been submitted. 
• Timing for the formal report’s submission, at latest update was sometime in the next six to eight weeks.
• Following the successful presentation and parliamentary debate of the petition in November 2025, Cumberland City Council resolved on 19 November 2025 to request a parliamentary inquiry by the NSW Legislative Council Portfolio Committee No. 4 into the MMP proposal.
• This inquiry, if approved, would examine site selection, community consultation, governance, environmental compliance, financial risks, and community impacts.
• While not yet confirmed, we are looking forward to this as a key next step in scrutinizing the plan and advocating for alternatives.
• Community campaigns, including Hands Off Carnarvon, are actively urging MPs to support the inquiry in 2026.
• Media coverage continues to highlight backlash, including concerns over property values and the "turf war" for green space. As of the latest parliamentary records (October 2025), Carnarvon remains the focus, but alternatives are "in the pipeline."
• Expect that focus to increase when Parliament resumes on the 3rd of February this year.
• Social media and public discourse show limited recent activity specific to our site, but broader cemetery and green space debates underscore the need for vigilance.

Next Steps and Call to Action

We are committed to preserving Carnarvon as a vibrant golf course beyond 2035. To support this:

• Support the Call for a Parliamentary Inquiry: Email the NSW Legislative Council Portfolio Committee No. 4 at portfoliocommittee4@parliament.nsw.gov.au to urge approval of the inquiry into the MMP proposal.
• Include your personal reasons for opposition and reference the Cumberland City Council resolution.
• Submit Feedback: If you haven't already, contribute to any open consultations via the government's channels. 
• Stay Informed: We'll update you on any response from the MMP or new government announcements.
• Contact Representatives: Reach out to Minister Kamper, Premier Chris Minns, and local MPs to voice your concerns.
• Support further community action: Support at ongoing parliament rallies, we will communicate details through our website and social media platforms.

Thank you for your continued support—together, we can protect our club's legacy.

Yours faithfully,

Adam McGregor
General Manager
Carnarvon Golf Club