Grave concerns over cemetery price hike

Bathurst resident Peter Dowling used public question time at Wednesday night’s meeting to again raise the issue of price rises since Norwood Park took over operations of the cemetery last year.

Norwood Park was the private developer behind the construction of long-awaited crematorium at the cemetery but, as part of its deal with council, also took over the running of the lawn cemetery.

At the time the deal was negotiated, Mr Dowling warned council that private involvement could mean only one thing for local residents – higher prices.

And his fears were confirmed when a new pricing structure for the cemetery was unveiled last year.

Last week, he sought an explanation of how the prices were allowed to go ahead.

“In 2011-12, $2497 was the purchase price for a grave at the Bathurst cemetery,” Mr Dowling said. “That included a plaque and the first opening of the grave.

“Later on, if someone else needed to be interred, it was another $707 for a reopening of the grave, and again a plaque was included.

“In 2014-15, the price has gone to $2889 for the purchase of a grave with no plaque included, and you’re looking at close to another $400 for the plaque.

“$1750 is the new reopening cost, and again no plaque, so that’s over $1000 that the price has gone up by.

“And if someone is in the unfortunate position of having to open a grave on a Saturday, it’s an extra $553 on top of all that.”

Mr Dowling said when other funeral costs were factored in, Bathurst residents were now looking at around $10,000 to bury a loved one.

He said he could see no justification for the price rises.

“I think it’s bordering on unAustralian, to be honest,” he said. “The Australian values have always been about a fair go and I don’t think these prices are fair. I just can’t justify these prices.

“I want to know why council didn’t retain control of the pricing structure at the cemetery because these prices are bordering on ludicrous.”

General manager David Sherley said he would have to review the pricing structure at the cemetery before he could respond properly.