Document reveals crematorium plan refusal was expected

But funeral director says council misled him before he filed application

Mayor Greg Williamson has put the boot into a funeral director who called the council "corrupt” after his application to build a crematorium in Mackay was refused. Picture: Luke Mortimer

IT'S not quite dancing on the grave, but Mayor Greg Williamson has put the boot into a funeral director who called the council "corrupt" after his application to build a crematorium in Mackay was refused.

Whitsunday Funerals and Crematorium owner Jeff Boyle claimed the council had told him the 217 Shakespeare St site was right for a crematorium; however, the council's record of contact with the applicant, obtained by The Daily Mercury, shows a series of meetings and communications between the council and Mr Boyle where he was told on up to seven occasions his application would likely be refused.

On February 14, the council unanimously refused the application because the location did not fit with the planning scheme.

But Mr Boyle argues all of that took place after he paid out $10,000 for an environmental impact statement, in September at the request of the council.

That was on top of about $20,000 for consultation and application fees.

In their report, council officers recommended the crematorium be knocked back because it classed it as a 'high impact' industry, not allowed in that area under the planning scheme.

But Mr Boyle said his air quality assessment proved the crematorium would not be 'high impact' because it produced almost no emissions, less than a new car he claimed.

"If the (crematorium) didn't fit the planning scheme why would the council ask me to do an environmental impact statement?" he said.

"If it breached the planning scheme they never should have asked for it."

Council officers actually agreed it could operate within the relevant air quality standards for the existing surrounding development, however said it was "unlikely" that the impacts of the air emissions would comply with standards if the surrounding land was developed in accordance with the building heights (five storeys, meaning smoke could travel straight onto someone's balcony).

When it came to a council vote on February 14, its rejection was unanimous, and Mr Boyle lost his temper, labelling the council corrupt and claiming they had mislead him.

He plans to file court papers to overturn the decision.

Cr Williamson said Mr Boyle's behaviour was unprofessional as he should have expected the development would be refused.

"It is disappointing that was the outcome because we were prepared to discuss other site options because we have known since November it was likely to be refused," Cr Williamson told The Daily Mercury.

"Then for him to put on a display like that, when he knew, was just unprofessional."

Originally published as Document reveals crematorium plan refusal was expected