Fernhill: Rookwood opens up on cemetery plans for colonial estate

A CEMETERY at Mulgoa’s historic Fernhill estate will create more business opportunities for the area and reduce the risk of subdivision, residents have been told.

The gorgeous sandstone homestead at Fernhill Estate in Mulgoa. Picture: Justin Sanson

• Appy way to tour western Sydney’s colonial past
• Outcry over plan for cemetery at historic Fernhill Estate

A CEMETERY at Mulgoa’s historic Fernhill estate will create more business opportunities for the area and reduce the risk of subdivision, residents have been told.

Rookwood General Cemeteries Reserve Trust head George Simpson told the first on-site community meeting that the cemetery proposed for the colonial estate would be “like Pinegrove, minus the crematorium but with a better set-up”.

The CEO of the Rookwood General Cemeteries Reserve Trust, George Simpson, at a community meeting held in Fernhill’s Great Hall on Tuesday. Picture: Justin Sanson

The trust’s plan is a “predominantly lawn-style” cemetery on 40 per cent of the total 384ha developed over three stages, with entry via Mulgoa Rd.

Asked whether Mulgoa Rd would be widened, Mr Simpson said: “The RMS will make a decision on what has to happen on Mulgoa Rd for this use to be permissible.”

Although there were only five locals at Rookwood’s first meeting on Tuesday, a wide range of topics were covered including concerns about possible “goth parties” in the cemetery, vandalism, and grave robberies. “At Rookwood we have a roaming patrol,” Mr Simpson said.

The Fernhill homestead was built by 20 Irish stonemasons following a land grant by Governor Macquarie to Colonial Magistrate William Cox in 1810. Picture: Justin Sanson

Property developer Warren Anderson built the pool, the manager’s residence (gift for his daughter) and even established a licensed private zoo for unusual animals.

The estate would be opened to the public but the historical buildings, including the 1830s heritage-listed homestead, would not be used for funeral ceremonies, Mr Simpson assured.

He envisioned visits by school and university groups, and potential job opportunities on burial crews, in administration and apprenticeships.

“We absolutely get Fernhill is the largest intact colonial Sydney parkland estate,” he said.

“A cemetery would ensure its preservation.”

He said the site needs conservation and investment — something Rookwood can provide.

Signs on Mulgoa Rd, Mulgoa. In the past few years Mulgoa locals have loudly protested a proposal to rezone and subdivide the historic Fernhill Estate, and continue to do so. Picture: Justin Sanson

Mr Simpson said they planned to conserve the biobanked areas including the Mayfair lots, adding that Rookwood Cemetery, which has been operating since 1867, currently holds two to 10 services daily, attended by 35 to 50 people.

“What we do really well is we organise memorial and commemorative events for the community,” Mr Simpson said.

He predicts the final burial will take place at Rookwood in about 20 years, and sees the potential for about 150 years of burials at Fernhill.

“About $175 million is what we would need to maintain Rookwood into perpetuity — we will achieve that in eight to 10 years,” Mr Simpson told a resident who asked who would pay for the upkeep of Fernhill cemetery once it reached capacity.

The largest Victorian cemetery in the world, Rookwood Cemetery (pictured in 2011) is fast filling up.

The turnout at the first of 12 Fernhill cemetery community meetings organised by Rookwood’s trust.

The Mulgoa Progress Association has previously voiced strong opposition to their plan, saying a lawn cemetery on a State Heritage significant site would be destructive.

The due diligence process for Rookwood to secure Fernhill Estate could run up until September.

“The (saleable) precinct is about 80 hectares larger than Rookwood, but the usable space is about 60 per cent of what we maintain at Rookwood,” Mr Simpson said.

The trust is hosting more community meetings at Fernhill, on Monday, May 22, at 1pm, 3.30pm, and 6pm, and Wednesday, May 31, at 8am, 10.30am and 1pm.

Last year’s finale of The Bachelor was filmed at Fernhill Estate, when Bachelor Sam Wood chose his leading lady Snezana Markoski.

Mr Simpson said they would look at more evening meetings following community feedback it was difficult to attend day ones, and that some residents had only received letters in the mail about these meetings on Tuesday.

He said they had been sent via Australia Post two weeks earlier.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN

The Rookwood General Cemeteries Reserve Trust says community consultation would consist of:

■ Artist impressions (to identify landscape architects and determine plans and design);

■ Heritage assessments (to determine heritage listed items and maintenance costs);

■ Environmental assessments (to understand the biobanking, flora and fauna);

■ Noise and traffic assessments (to understand traffic and noise requirements);

■ Service assessments (to understand telecommunications, water, electricity, gas, sewage);

■ Geotechnical assessments; and

■ Hydrological assessments.

Register for a meeting at: rookwoodcemetery.com.au/fernhill_estate_meetings.