Outcry over plan for cemetery at historic Fernhill Estate

PLANS by Rookwood to turning a historic colonial estate into a new cemetery for Sydney has upset local residents.

The gorgeous sandstone homestead at Fernhill Estate in Mulgoa.

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THE Mulgoa Progress Association has voiced strong opposition to an attempt to turn the historic Fernhill Estate into a general cemetery.

The association’s president Wally Cox said having a lawn cemetery on a State Heritage significant site would be destructive.

Rookwood General Cemeteries Reserve Trust, the potential buyers of the sandstone mansion Fernhill, say a Mulgoa cemetery would help meet a demand for burial spaces in Sydney in coming decades.

“We’re experts at managing heritage buildings and conservation areas,” trust CEO George Simpson said.

Rookwood Cemetery is filling up fast.

Rookwood General Cemeteries Reserve Trust entered into a due-diligence process, with a view to securing Fernhill Estate, about five weeks ago.

The plan is to have a heritage cemetery for all denominations on 40 per cent of the total 384 hectares being considered for acquisition. The saleable property is the Central Precinct.

An eight-bedroom mansion and outbuildings, constructed over four years, are on this portion of the property.

The 1830s heritage listed homestead is complete with a 16-seat dining room, ballroom, 12 sandstone fireplaces and a horse racing track and stables that, over the centuries, have been home to two Melbourne Cup winners.

Fernhill Estate features a sandstone homestead and stables.

“RGCRT confirms that a sale has not yet occurred, but it has entered into a six-month exclusivity period which will allow the trust to conduct the required due diligence process, commencing with a period of community consultation,” the trust’s spokeswoman told the Penrith Press.

She said throughout Australia many cemeteries are predicted to reach capacity in the next 20 to 30 years.

“A new heritage cemetery at Mulgoa will provide the community with another option when it comes to a dignified and historically significant final resting place,” she said.

Fernhill was built by 20 Irish stonemasons following a land grant by Gocernor Macquarie to Colonial Magistrate William Cox in 1810.

Penrith Cemetery has “at least 40 more years till it reaches capacity”, Penrith Council’s spokesman previously told the Press.

“There are approximately 10,500 interred at Penrith, either buried or ashes placement,” he said.

Mr Simpson said Rookwood has been exploring options outside Lidcombe “for many years now”, particularly “larger undeveloped areas in the west”.

He said Fernhill was zoned for cemeteries.

The Rookwood General Cemeteries Reserve Trust said in a statement they plan to preserve the homestead and heritage landscape: “To this end, a buffer of more than 25 hectares (equivalent to 25 rugby fields) will be set aside and conserved around the homestead. In addition to this 220.62 hectares of bio-banked land will also be conserved.

“Throughout the remainder of the property, a predominantly lawn style cemetery is being proposed, with low profile lawn plaques to be used within any areas that are visible from the road or homestead.’’

The Mulgoa Progress Association expressed concern for the site’s colonial landscape.

Mr Cox said: “Fernhill is of the greatest State Heritage significance both for its historic homestead and its unique colonial landscape.

“The aesthetics of a lawn cemetery would not be compatible, but would be destructive.”

Historic image of the old No 1. Train Station at Rookwood Cemetery

He said the association opposes any cemetery in the Mulgoa Valley, which already has a cemetery on the grounds of St Thomas’ Anglican Church in Mulgoa.

Mr Simpson said Rookwood Cemetery, which has been operating since 1867, is a heritage site too.

“We have many heritage buildings within the site, dating back to the 1870s,” he said.

“We pride ourselves as heritage custodians and we welcome the opportunity to conserve Fernhill in the same way that we conserve Rookwood.”

The trust has promised to include the public in the unfurling history of the estate by engaging the community throughout the entire process.

The first of 12 community meetings will be held on Tuesday, May 16, at 1pm.

Mulgoa residents during a protest at Fernhill Estate.

Historic Estate

FERNHILL was built by Edward Cox — the son of Lieutenant William Cox, who built the first road from Emu Plains over the Blue Mountains to Bathurst in 1814-1815.

In late 2012 businessman Simon Tripp and his wife Brenda purchased the property from property developer Warren Anderson, who had owned it since 1980, embarking on a multi-million dollar restoration project.

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

Another owner was Mr Wright, of Wright Heaton & Co, who bought the property from Standish Cox — the last of the Cox owners — in 1896.

The estate went back on the market in 2016 with a rumoured $30 million-plus price tag.

While still for sale, it is business as usual with on-site events including medium Janine Louise’s popular heritage tours and a concert by rock royalty Jimmy Barnes this Sunday.

Medium Janine Louise holding a ghost tour at Mulgoa's historic Fernhill estate.

An estimated 4000 racegoers attended the estate in October 2014 for the Fernhill Picnic Races.

In the past few years Mulgoa locals have loudly protested a proposal to rezone and subdivide the historic estate.

In March, The Australian reported the sale of five allotments in Fernhill’s Mayfair precinct for more than $5.5 million.

The Bachelor filmed the finale at Fernhill Estate when Bachelor Sam Wood chose his leading lady Snezana Markoski.

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 community meeting: rookwoodcemetery.com.au/fernhill_estate_meetings.