Sydney crown cemeteries running out of land to bury loved ones

The author of a damning report into Sydney’s cemetery crisis has warned some communities won’t be able to bury loved ones in two years.

The author of a damning report into Sydney’s cemetery crisis has warned some communities won’t be able to bury loved ones in two years.

Tim Scott authored the 11th Hour Report in 2020 which warned all crown cemeteries could close to burials in 10 years, and certain faith groups could run out in three years.

In his report he recommended management of cemeteries be brought under one government body – now he has resigned from OneCrown, the very organisation he recommended.

“The fact that the three cemetery operators are still in administration, after almost two

years, is deeply concerning,” Mr Scott said.

“Without new burial land, or significant capital injections by the NSW Government, the

three government cemetery operators face almost certain financial collapse.”

Rookwood cemetery. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Mr Scott warns the eastern suburbs, specifically the Greek community, could run out of burial space in just two years, with elderly people forced to travel hours further west or south to bury their loved ones.

After announcing the separate Crown cemeteries, which include Rookwood, would be consolidated in 2021 the Government is still yet to decide on an operating model.

Sydney’s Crown cemeteries remain in limbo under the oversight of an administrator for 18 months.

Former OneCrown CEO Robert Pitt. Picture: Emma Brasier

Respected OneCrown CEO Robert Pitt’s recent sudden departure has sent shockwaves through the cemetery community.

His departure comes as a long awaited health check report into OneCrown’s management is still yet to be delivered.

“The lack of leadership, both politically and operationally, in Sydney cemeteries is concerning. The legacy of this will mean that families will be paying more to have their loved ones remains disposed, some will not be able to bury them in accordance with their religious or cultural beliefs and existing cemeteries will fall into disrepair,” Mr Pitt said.

“The lack of a formal board of directors, the continued operations of three Crown Cemetery Land Managers, and high executive staff turnover means that, in my opinion, there continues to be inadequate long-term planning, business thinking or community

engagement across the sector.”

Former administrator of Rookwood General Cemetery Jason Masters believes nothing will improve unless Sydneysiders start talking about death openly.

“This should be an election issue, but its not because Australians don‘t think about end of life until its too late.”

A spokesman for the Department of Planning and Environment said the government is yet to decide a final operating model, and pointed to the Catholic Metropolitan Cemetery Trusts’s new Varroville cemetery as evidence the government is finding new burial ground.

Varroville does not fall under the governance of OneCrown.

A spokesperson for the administrator would not respond to the removal of Robert Pitt, but said the health check review is still ongoing.