I am writing to provide a further update on the ongoing Metropolitan Memorial Parks proposal to convert Carnarvon Golf Course into cemetery / memorial park space.
There has still been no announced decision by the NSW Government, and our lease remains in place until 2035. However, there have been several important developments over the past week that I wanted to share with you.
Following previous advice from Metropolitan Memorial Parks, we now have confirmation from Minister Kamper’s office that MMP has finalised its collation and analysis of the feedback received during its community consultation process.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure – Crown Lands has advised that both the report and the timing of its public release remain subject to ongoing Government consideration.
While this does not provide the transparency we have been looking for, it does confirm that the MMP consultation report has been completed and is now part of the Government’s decision-making process.
As members would be aware, we have continued to call for the full consultation report to be released publicly. It is disappointing, though not completely unexpected, that our GIPA (GIPA is an acronym for the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW). It is the legislation that governs how the public can access information held by government agencies in NSW) applications have been refused, particularly given the scale of community interest and the importance of the proposed decision to the future of the Club, local residents and the broader community. The Department has refused access to documents on the basis that they are considered Cabinet information. We have lodged a review of that decision.
We met this week with Chris Rath, Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, to brief him on the current situation and seek further support from the Opposition. The meeting was both positive and constructive and adds to our ongoing advocacy with Government, Opposition and crossbench representatives, including previous engagement with Minister Steve Kamper, Steph Cooke, Jason Clare, Mark Banasiak, Lynda Voltz, Cumberland City Council and others. We will continue to pursue every reasonable political and community avenue available to ensure Carnarvon’s position is clearly understood and strongly represented.
Mr. Rath was receptive to the concerns raised and we discussed the broader issues with the proposal, including the loss of significant recreational open space, the proximity of the site to residential homes, flooding and drainage concerns, the location near major roads, cultural and community sensitivities and the lack of transparency around alternative sites that may have been considered. Several potential next steps were discussed, including placing questions on notice to Government. Mr. Rath also indicated he would be willing to assist in seeking further clarity around the status of the MMP report, if / when it will be released and what other sites have been considered.
Carnarvon remains an active, viable and a heavily used community facility. This is not simply a question of golf. It is about preserving 45 hectares of open green space, community recreation, local amenity, health and wellbeing, and the long-term liveability of Lidcombe, Auburn and the surrounding area.
We remain extremely grateful for the strong support received from members, local residents, Cumberland City Council, community groups, local representatives and everyone who has continued to advocate for the protection of Carnarvon.
Our immediate focus remains:
- continuing to push for the public release of the MMP consultation report
- pursuing the review of the GIPA decision
- working with Chris Rath and other Parliamentary representatives to seek further answers from Government
- maintaining engagement with Minister Kamper’s office, Crown Lands and other relevant stakeholders
- continuing to work with Cumberland City Council and local representatives
- supporting the Pink Army gathering outside Parliament House on Tuesday morning
- ensuring the community remains informed and ready to respond if a decision is announced
Pink Army Gathering – Tuesday 5th of May from 8am outside NSW Parliament House
Members and local residents are strongly encouraged to attend the planned Pink Army gathering outside NSW Parliament House on Tuesday morning.
This is another important opportunity to show Government that the community remains united, visible and determined to protect Carnarvon Golf Club and the surrounding open green space.
If you are able to attend, please wear pink and bring family, friends, neighbours or anyone else who supports preserving Carnarvon as public recreational open space.
Thank you again for your continued support. The strength of this community has already made a significant difference, and we will continue to do everything we can to protect the long-term future of Carnarvon Golf Club and this important public open space.
Yours faithfully,
Adam McGregor
General Manager
Carnarvon Golf Club