Cemetories and Crematoria Act 2013

The NSW Government recently passed new legislation as part of its cemetery reform agenda. The Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2013 establishes a framework for the long term planning and management of cemeteries and crematoria in NSW.

The Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2013  will be rolled out in phases. In the coming weeks as part of Phase 3 of the implementation of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2013, Presbyteries and Congregations will be required to complete a form by the NSW Department of Primary Industries if they have stewardship of the property. The form will be sent to presbyteries and congregations by Uniting Resources Property Services.

The form will ask for information about the cemeteries, columbarium, niche walls, and gardens with buried ashes located on Uniting Church properties. Please note scattered ashes are not included.

In the short term there will be no change to the operating of the cemeteries, columbarium, niche walls, and gardens with buried ashes.

Operating obligations will commence in Phase 4 of the implementation process due to start mid-2015.

During 2015 Codes of Practice and Regulations that set out the requirements  for operating active facilities will be available and sent to Presbyteries and Congregations.

These requirements and obligations will mainly focus on keeping records and reporting.

There may also be implications on church resources with regards to managing these facilities once the guidelines and regulations are available.

The attached link https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/lands/cemetery-reform  will provide you with additional information in the interim.

Please advise property services of any enquiries in relation to new interments on Uniting Church sites.

If you have any questions please contact the property services team.

Email: property@nswact.uca.org.au­

 Robert Ramsbottom – Head of Property Services – Phone 02 8267 4427

Kathryn Davenport – Asset Manager – Phone: 02 8267 4349

Gabriel Thielbeer – Asset Manager – Phone: 02 8267 4352

Michael New – Asset Manager – Phone: 02 8267 4319

Jae Hunt – Senior Legal Counsel – 02 8267 4306