NSW Government Cuts Red Tape for Cemeteries and Crematoriums

By Liam Jennings

The NSW Government has introduced planning reforms to streamline minor works in cemeteries, effective immediately, by removing unnecessary red tape. These changes amend the Transport and Infrastructure State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), allowing cemetery operators and crematoria to bypass the need for a Development Application (DA) for low-impact activities such as constructing monuments, conducting demolition, or maintaining internal roads and sheds.

However, a DA will still be required for any development beyond the boundary of an existing cemetery or for projects that do not comply with the new regulations. The reforms do not include changes to burial plot numbers or operational hours.

The goal is to reduce the burden on cemetery operators, improve efficiency, and free up resources for local councils, thus speeding up the broader planning system. The NSW Government has emphasised that many areas of the state’s planning system have outdated rules and are not serving communities effectively. These reforms are part of a broader effort to modernize the planning system.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, commented:

“Cemeteries are vital to our communities, and it’s essential they operate efficiently. These new pathways will save time on simple DAs, ensuring cemeteries can focus on their core role.”

Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper, added:

“The Minns Labor Government has been addressing the cemetery crisis from day one. These reforms are crucial for future planning, ensuring cemeteries remain accessible, respectful spaces for all communities.”

The Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure (DPHI) collaborated closely with Crown Lands and Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW to ensure these reforms are aligned with government efforts to create a more efficient and effective planning system.