CEMETERY ‘RENEWAL’ WITHIN DECADE

HEADSTONES could be removed from graves at Fremantle cemetery within the next five to 10 years. Documents sent to StreetWise by Saving Family Headstones at Karrakatta confirm plans by the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board plans to expand its Karrakatta ‘renewal’ program to Fremantle cemetery as part of the its “medium-to-long term asset investment plan”.
Representative Shane Becu told StreetWise the MCB has not announced redevelopment plans for Fremantle: “However, we are informed by a reliable internal source that, as part of its ‘medium-to-long term asset investment plan’, the MCB will begin redeveloping existing burial areas at Fremantle within the next five to 10 years.” The MCB told StreetWise it has no plans to expand its renewal program: “We can confirm Fremantle Cemetery has land available to meet the predicted demand for burials for the next 30 years.” StreetWise sent MCB a copy of its own plans under ‘Future asset network – Years 5-10’, which states: “Renew burial land in Fremantle.”
Opened in 1898, the cemetery covers nearly 50ha of land in Palmyra bounded by Leach Highway and Carrington Street and Sainsbury Road. More than 40,000 burials and 66,000 cremations have taken place here. The historic site contains war graves of 120 Australian defence force personnel who served in WW1 and 21 who served in WW2. The first official burial took place on July 2, 1899.
No response from MCB, which posted a denial two hours after it was contacted by StreetWise. Families with information about the MCB plans can contact StreetWise at 0468608503 or melnet@westnet.com.au.