Crematorium 'sale' plan goes public

Wollongong City Council has revealed plans to privatise the city's only council-owned crematorium, while retaining ownership of the Unanderra land. The council went public with the plan yesterday, saying it was seeking feedback from the community until October 2 and was proposing to "test the market" to weigh up the benefits of selling the business component.The move came after the council conducted a "strategic review" of the crematorium at Wollongong City Memorial Gardens, on Berkeley Rd.But a number of concerned residents contacted the Mercury yesterday morning after an advertisement appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday under the classifieds heading Businesses For Sale.Figtree woman Carol Herben, who is also a volunteer with the Illawarra Historical Society, has both her parents and grandparents interred at the Unanderra site and was shocked when she saw the council advertisement on the weekend. She and her husband have also had space reserved for 32 years."It is owned by the city and we weren't consulted in any way," she said."I am concerned because we put our trust in the council in years gone by to put our families in the crematorium when it was community-owned."Mrs Herben was concerned that a private operator may charge families for upkeep on memorials or renewal fees on reserved space."I feel really deceived to think things like the Blue Mile masterplan are going ahead but at the same time they are thinking about selling our crematorium," Mrs Herben said."It should be in public ownership." To me it is no different to trying to sell a cemetery."Director of infrastructure and works Peter Kofod said if the council continued to operate the crematorium, ratepayers would keep paying for the costs and maintenance of the facility."As part of our approach to getting back to basics, we need to look carefully at everything council is delivering and how much it is costing the community, both now and into the future," Mr Kofod said."While cemeteries are considered core business for councils, only five of the 152 councils in New South Wales operate crematoriums. All other crematoriums are private businesses."Advertisements in the Illawarra are expected to appear from tomorrow. Two information sessions on the proposal will also be held later this month from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday, September 17, and from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, September 19. Public submissions can be lodged until October 2.