Invocare defends controversial planned location of Gympie funeral parlour

The developers behind a controversial proposal to open a funeral parlour at the old Brodies site, across the road from KFC and beside a nursing home, have responded to concerns raised that it might not be the best place for it.

The developers behind a controversial proposal to build a funeral parlour at the site of the old Brodies fast food restaurant have defended its location as acceptable under the region’s planning scheme.

The developers behind a proposed funeral home have defended its location on the old Brodies fast food site, saying it would not clash with the town plan.

Gympie Regional Council’s Planning Department asked the developers last month for further information about the plan, citing concerns about the location, the scale of the business and car parking.

Council Development and Compliance manager Tania Steinholm said in a letter to the developers that although funeral parlours were defined as community use under the town’s planning scheme, “it is not reasonably expected that a Funeral Parlour would be located within the (area)”.

“As presented, it would appear inappropriate for a Funeral Parlour to be co-located with other retail development on the same site, close to the Gympie CBD, and located beside a busy intersection where there is no provision for on-street parking,” she said.

The parlour (right) is proposed to be built near a new showroom for Supercheap Auto.

Concerns were also raised given it was “reasonably expected” the parlour would cater for more than 40 mourners at a time, and parking during these periods could become an issue.

These have been raised by residents since the proposed development was announced.

In response, Town Planning Alliance senior planner John Burrows defended the choice of location, saying Gympie’s planning scheme allowed for a mix of uses including retail, commercial and community in the zoned area.

Mr Burrows said the parlour was intended to host a maximum of 40 seated guests, and the council “may condition the capacity of the establishment to 40 guests and essential staff”.

The 35 car spaces provided in the plan was also acceptable under the town plan, Mr Burrows said, and “given the shared nature (of the) site, this should provide an adequate number of spaces”.

The proposal is expected to be brought before councillors at this month’s general meeting.

“We additionally note that a pedestrian pathway has been provided to provide safe pedestrian movement within the site.”

Originally published as Invocare defends controversial planned location of Gympie funeral parlour