Agenda of Policy Review Committee Meeting

Council_Mark_POS_RGB 2018 MEETING CALENDAR

January 2018 - December 2018

(Adopted by Council - 27 November 2017)

TIME

JAN

FEB

MAR

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Mon

Ordinary Council Meeting

7.00pm

26@

30v

28#

25*

27@

24^ü

29∞

26#+

Policy Review Committee

7.00pm

v	Meeting at which the draft corporate planning documents (Delivery Program and Operational Plan) are endorsed for exhibition
*	Meeting at which the draft corporate planning documents (Delivery Program and Operational Plan) are adopted
#	Meetings at which the Operational Plan quarterly reviews (May and September) are presented
@	Meetings at which the Delivery Program progress reports (including the Operational Plan quarterly reviews for December and June) are presented
^	Election of Mayor/Deputy Mayor
ü	Meeting at which the 2017-2018 Annual Statements are presented
∞	Meeting at which any comments on the 2017-2018 Annual Statements are presented
+	Meeting at which the Annual Report is presented

- Extraordinary Meetings are held as required.

- Members of the public are invited to observe meetings of the Council (Ordinary and Policy Review Committee).

Should you wish to address Council, please contact Governance Coordinator, Adam Beggs on 4732 7597

UNCONFIRMED MINUTES

OF THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING OF PENRITH CITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE PASSADENA ROOM, PENRITH

ON MONDAY 11 DECEMBER 2017 AT 7:03PM

PRESENT

His Worship the Mayor, Councillor John Thain, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tricia Hitchen, and Councillors Todd Carney, Marcus Cornish, Kevin Crameri OAM, Greg Davies, Mark Davies, Aaron Duke, Ross Fowler OAM, Karen McKeown, Kath Presdee and Ben Price.

APOLOGIES

49 RESOLVED on the MOTION of Councillor Aaron Duke seconded Councillor Kevin Crameri OAM that apologies be received for Councillors Jim Aitken OAM, Bernard Bratusa and Joshua Hoole.

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES - Policy Review Committee Meeting - 13 November 2017

50 RESOLVED on the MOTION of Councillor Kath Presdee seconded Councillor Ross Fowler OAM that the minutes of the Policy Review Committee Meeting of 13 November 2017 be confirmed.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

DELIVERY PROGRAM REPORTS

Outcome 1 - We can work close to home

1 Penrith City Children's Services Cooperative Ltd

51 RESOLVED on the MOTION of Councillor Mark Davies seconded Councillor Kath Presdee

That:

1. The information contained in the report on Penrith City Children's Services Cooperative Ltd be received.

2. Council agree to underwrite the operation of Penrith City Children’s Services Cooperative Ltd until the presentation to Council of the Penrith City Children’s Services Cooperative Ltd Annual Report for 2018-19.

Outcome 7 - We have confidence in our Council

5 Penrith Whitewater Stadium - Annual Report and Board of Directors

Councillor Aaron Duke left the meeting, the time being 7:38pm.

Councillor Aaron Duke returned to the meeting, the time being 7:41pm.

52 RESOLVED on the MOTION of Councillor Greg Davies seconded Councillor Ben Price

That:

1. The information contained in the report on Penrith Whitewater Stadium - Annual Report and Board of Directors be received.

2. Council agree to underwrite the operation of the Penrith Whitewater Stadium Limited until the presentation to Council of the Penrith Whitewater Stadium Limited Annual Report for 2018-19.

3. Council note and support the appointment and re-appointment of the persons named in the report to the Board of Directors of Penrith Whitewater Stadium Ltd.

6 Penrith Aquatic & Leisure Limited - Annual Report and Board of Directors

53 RESOLVED on the MOTION of Councillor Tricia Hitchen seconded Councillor Ross Fowler OAM

That:

1. The information contained in the report on Penrith Aquatic & Leisure Limited - Annual Report and Board of Directors be received.

2. Council agree to underwrite the operations of Penrith Aquatic and Leisure Ltd until the presentation of the 2018-2019 Annual Report.

3. Council endorse the proposal by the Board of Penrith Aquatic and Leisure Ltd to construct a waterpark facility and additional car parking at Ripples St Marys, with the $2m requested to be funded from Council’s District Open Space S94 Developer Contributions Plan.

4. Council note and support the appointment and re-appointment of the persons named in the report to the Board of Directors of Penrith Aquatic and Leisure Ltd.

Outcome 3 - We can get around the City

2 Mamre Road Corridor Upgrade, between Kerrs Road and the M4 Motorway

Councillor Tricia Hitchen left the meeting, the time being 8:00pm.

Councillor Tricia Hitchen returned to the meeting, the time being 8:01pm.

Councillor Mark Davies left the meeting, the time being 8:12pm.

Councillor Mark Davies returned to the meeting, the time being 8:12pm.

54 RESOLVED on the MOTION of Councillor Aaron Duke seconded Councillor Ross Fowler OAM

That:

1. The information contained in the report on Mamre Road Corridor Upgrade, between Kerrs Road and the M4 Motorway be received.

2. Council’s Engineering Services Manager be authorised to finalise a submission, based on this report, to RMS by 15 December 2017.

Outcome 4 - We have safe, vibrant places

3 Cemeteries Strategy and Business Review

55 RESOLVED on the MOTION of Councillor Ross Fowler OAM seconded Councillor Aaron Duke

That:

1. The information contained in the report on Cemeteries Strategy and Business Review be received.

2. The item be deferred to the next Council meeting.

Outcome 5 - We care about our environment

4 Container Deposit Scheme

56 RESOLVED on the MOTION of Councillor Karen McKeown seconded Councillor Aaron Duke that the information contained in the report on Container Deposit Scheme be received.

URGent report

7 Amending Precinct Plan and Infrastructure Planning for the Central Precinct, St Marys Release Area

57 RESOLVED on the MOTION of Councillor Greg Davies seconded Councillor Karen McKeown

That:

1. The information contained in the report on Amending Precinct Plan and Infrastructure Planning for the Central Precinct, St Marys Release Area be received

2. The principles of Lendlease’s offer of transport, open space and human services infrastructure, as set out in this paper, be accepted

3. The General Manager be granted delegation to complete the legal drafting of the revised Development Agreement

4. The General Manager be granted delegation to execute the revised Development Agreement following the required public notification and consideration of any submissions Council receives

5. Subject to the receipt and consideration of the NSW Government’s advice on flood evacuation, the Amending Precinct Plan, provided as Enclosure 1, be adopted.

In accordance with Section 375A of the Local Government Act 1993, a DIVISION was then called with the following result:

For	Against
Councillor John Thain	Councillor Kevin Crameri OAM
Councillor Kath Presdee
Councillor Karen McKeown
Councillor Greg Davies
Councillor Mark Davies
Councillor Ross Fowler OAM
Councillor Tricia Hitchen
Councillor Marcus Cornish
Councillor Aaron Duke
Councillor Todd Carney
Councillor Ben Price

There being no further business the Chairperson declared the meeting closed the time being 8:35pm.

Policy Review Committee Meeting 12 February 2018

Amendment to Penrith Development Control Plan 2014 - Oakdale South Industrial Estate, Erskine Park

Compiled by: Danielle Fox, Planner

Authorised by: Natasha Baker, City Planning Manager

Outcome	We plan for our future growth
Strategy	Protect the City's natural areas, heritage and character
Service Activity	Ensure our policies, strategies and plans set a clear direction for managing the growth of our City

Procedural note: Section 375A of the Local Government Act 1993 requires that a division be called in relation to this matter.

Executive Summary

Council is in receipt of an application to amend the Penrith Development Control Plan (DCP) to insert specific controls for land in the Erskine Park Business Park known as Oakdale South Industrial Estate (see Attachment 1).

The Oakdale South Industrial Estate Concept Proposal and Stage 1 development application (SSD 6917) was assessed and approved as State Significant Development (SSD). The development application comprised a Concept Proposal for 117 hectares of industrial estate and a concurrent Stage 1 DA. The Minister for Planning was the consent authority for this development application.

The approved Concept Proposal includes variations to some controls found in Penrith Development Control Plan 2014 (DCP). In order to provide alignment between the approved Concept Proposal and the existing DCP controls Condition B12 of the consent for SSD 6917 required the applicant to apply to Council to amend the DCP.

The key components of the draft DCP include amending the controls relating to subdivision, site development and urban design, and car parking.

In line with the provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act 1979) and Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (Regulation 2000), it is recommended the draft DCP be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days.

Background

The development application was classified as SSD under Part 4 of the EP&A Act 1979, as it satisfied Clause 12, Schedule 1 of State Environmental Planning Policy (State and Regional Development) (SRD SEPP), being for the construction of a warehouse and distribution complex with a capital investment value (CIV) over $50 million.

Clause 11 of SRD SEPP specifies that DCP’s do not apply to the assessment of SSD’s, however the DCP may apply to the assessment of future warehouse buildings on the site, that may not meet the $50 million threshold.

To provide alignment between Council’s DCP controls and Concept Proposal requirements, and to provide consistency of the built form across the site, the Minister has conditioned the Applicant to lodge an application to modify the Penrith DCP.

It is noted that under the EP&A Act 1979, determination of any future development applications (DA) in respect of the site cannot be inconsistent with the consent for the Concept Proposal for development of the site. The amended DCP will provide guidance for Council officers and applicants in the assessment and preparation of DA’s (that fall below the CIV threshold), in partnership with the consent for the Concept Proposal for the Oakdale South Industrial Estate.

Proposed Controls

An application to amend the DCP was submitted to Council on 13 July 2017 by Goodman Australia Industrial Partnership. The approved Concept Plan controls are contained in the development consent for SSD 6917 and the State Significant Development Assessment – Environmental Assessment Report. The proposed changes to the DCP have been reviewed in consultation with Council’s Development Services department and the Department of Planning and Environment (DP&E). Council was consulted during the assessment of SSD6917. Overall Council officers believe that the controls will provide positive outcomes for the site.

The proposed controls apply only to the Oakdale South Industrial Estate (see Attachment 1), and reflect the assessment of a Concept development application. The Oakdale West Industrial Estate (adjoins the Oakdale South Industrial Estate) is currently with the Department for assessment. A further review of the DCP may be necessary upon the completion of the Oakdale West Industrial Estate application.

The key components of the draft DCP are provided in Attachment 2 and include varying the:

· Minimum lot size

· Minimum site frontage

· Site Coverage

· Building setbacks

· Car parking rates

· Landscaping requirements

The amended controls have been assessed by the Department to provide positive impacts that:

· Provide a consistency of built form across the Erskine Business Park,

· Respond to the topography and ecological site constraints,

· Respond to market demands, including the changing nature of warehousing processes and resulting employee densities,

· Mitigates visual and amenity impacts of development along the southern and south-eastern boundaries, and,

· Provides landscape opportunities for active recreation and a softening of the built form when viewed from the public domain.

These amendments will apply to DCP Chapter E6 – Erskine Business Park and Chapter C10 – Transport, Access and Parking.

Public exhibition of the Draft DCP

The EP&A Act 1979 and Regulation 2000 outline the requirements for the preparation and amendment of DCP’s. If Council resolves to publicly exhibit the draft DCP, public exhibition will be held for a 28-day period where members of the community will be able to provide a submission. The draft DCP will be available to view at Council’s administration buildings and libraries at Penrith and St Marys. Advertisements will be placed in the local newspaper advising of the public exhibition.

Next steps

After the exhibition period has closed, consideration will be given to the submissions received. Council will then receive a report on the matters raised during the public exhibition. The post-exhibition report will identify whether any changes are recommended prior to adopting the DCP.

RECOMMENDATION

That:

1. The information contained in the report on Amendment to Penrith Development Control Plan 2014 - Oakdale South Industrial Estate, Erskine Park be received.

2. The General Manager be granted delegation to make any necessary minor changes to the Draft Development Control Plan before public exhibition.

3. The Draft Development Control Plan be publicly exhibited, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 and associated regulations.

4. A further report be presented to Council following the public exhibition.

ATTACHMENTS/APPENDICES

1. ⇩	Map of Oakdale South Industrial Estate, Erskine Park	1 Page	Appendix
2. ⇩	Table of amendments to Penrith DCP 2014 for Oakdale South Industrial Estate, Erskine Park	5 Pages	Appendix

Policy Review Committee Meeting 12 February 2018

The Village Cafe North St Marys - Progress and Future

Compiled by: Lila Kennelly, Community Engagement Officer

Authorised by: Jeni Pollard, Place Manager

Outcome	We have safe, vibrant places
Strategy	Work with our communities to improve wellbeing and infrastructure in their neighbourhoods
Service Activity	Deliver projects that address local issues and improve the wellbeing of local communities

Executive Summary

This report provides an update on the Village Café project in North St Marys and seeks Council’s endorsement for future funding of the project through the NSW Government Liveable Communities 2017-18 grant program.

The Village Café is an innovative partnership project aimed at empowering older people in North St Marys to be healthy and well. The project offers residents a unique opportunity to connect socially, share their experiences of staying well, and informally access preventative health and community services.

The Village Cafe is supporting healthy ageing, improving access to healthy food, supporting carers, improving mental and physical health and providing an opportunity for social connection for vulnerable resident in North St Marys. The project is proving successful and this report outlines opportunities for furthering the social impact and expanding the project to other priority neighbourhoods.

Background

The Village Café was developed as an innovative response to ageing, health and wellbeing for people aged over 50 and living in North St Marys. In 2017 the project was funded through the NSW Government’s Liveable Communities grants program which was created to capture the energy of Australian innovators and focus on defining what it will mean to age well in the 21st century.

“The Village Café was the best thing that happened to us. My depression has significantly lifted. I am smiling at strangers and walking far more. We are both so much happier and our world has opened up again.”

-Feedback from a couple who regularly attend Village Café.

The project is spearheaded by Council’s Neighbourhood Renewal (NR) team and Community Cultural Development Department (CCD). Neighbourhood Renewal sits within the Place Management department and works alongside residents and services to improve Penrith’s comparatively disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The CCD Department is tasked with building community cohesion and the capacity of community services across the City.

The Village Café project emerged through NR’s engagement with North St Marys residents as part of #NorthStMarysMatters in 2016, and CCD’s work on the Penrith Health Action Plan in 2017.

Through #NorthStMarysMatters, staff from Neighbourhood Renewal heard residents express concern that many older people in the neighbourhood experienced social isolation. In 2017 the Community and Cultural Development Department initiated the Penrith LGA Health Action Plan, bringing together all three levels of government to strategically collaborate on achieving health outcomes across the City. Through this initiative health professionals expressed concern about the low levels of health screening and preventative health opportunities for older people in North St Marys. The data gathered from both services and residents highlighted the need for a project addressing the challenges of facing older people in the neighbourhood.

Residents engage with John, an Aboriginal cultural facilitator, at Village Café during NAIDOC week.

Staff from Neighbourhood Renewal developed a funding submission to the NSW Government’s Liveable Communities grants program and a 10-month pilot project was initiated, led by Penrith City Council and delivered in collaboration with The Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBM LHD), Wentworth Healthcare – Primary Health Network (NBM PHN), Community Junction, Uniting – Ability Links, Westcare, and Uniting Home and Community Care.

The project operates as a collective impact model, recognising that as a group of agencies we have far greater capacity to influence and support change by working with residents rather than working alone.

The project objectives align with Neighbourhood Renewal’s engagement with residents in North St Marys, Council’s Ageing Strategy, and the Penrith Health Action Plan.

The Village Café objectives are:

· To improve social connections and community networks

· To build relationships between vulnerable residents and services

· To empower residents to improve their wellbeing

· To increase the physical activity of participants

· To provide access to healthy produce

· To test a new model of collaboration between residents, health and community services.

Progress To Date

The Village Café has provided residents that are aged over 50 and living in North St Marys an opportunity to form new social connections, have easy access to health and other community services, and a space to participate in an ongoing conversation about what wellbeing means for them and the support they might need.

The pilot is showing early success in improving social connections and overall wellbeing for the residents involved.

Since its launch in June 2017, the fortnightly Village Café started with around 25 people attending and now regularly attracts over 50 participants. The project is held outdoors in an empty lot at Parklawn Place and helps to bring a vibrancy to the area and offer an engaging space for residents.

Residents enjoy a free cup of barrister made coffee and morning tea at the cafe, take home a bag of fresh fruit and vegetables, and connect directly with health and community workers, including an exercise physiologist. Each session sees new people attending, and the project is experiencing steady growth.

A family of Greek heritage enjoy Village Café with their grandson who they often care for.

Village Café is attended by a diverse range of residents including couples, single people, and with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, and carers.

Through the Village Café, residents have received free health services such as vaccinations and blood sugar testing which may normally be difficult or reluctant to access as well as information about services such as the library, Men’s Shed, walking groups, community and household safety. In addition, residents have creatively expressed themselves through an art project focused on capturing important memories and moments in their lives.

“Normally I would have to spend $30 on a taxi to pick up my groceries which is a bit steep. The cost of fresh fruit and vegetables can also be high”.

- Feedback from a person living alone

One of the central premises of the Village Café is to encourage older residents to empower themselves around their wellbeing, social and physical. Many residents have found great value in the social aspect of the café, and the opportunity to share their experiences with others and offer peer to peer support.

Impact and outcomes

The project’s success is measured based on feedback from residents as well as capturing information from service partners on referrals. The majority of participants have expressed that the Village Café has become an important part of their routine. Of 22 pre-project interviewees, 18 regularly attend the Village Café, and we have been able to track their experiences.

Overall, participants have reported that the Village Café has had a powerful impact on their lives and experiences of their neighbourhood in terms of:

Social cohesion and community connectedness

Prior to Village Café, residents reported feeling lonely and disconnected from their local community. Many experienced friends passing away or moving out of area, fear, or a feeling of no longer belonging or having a valuable role in the community

After attending the Village Café, residents have formed new connections and friendships with others in the neighbourhood. People report now walking around and knowing their neighbours, and they are able to provide each other with support. The level of fear among the participants has significantly reduced as they increasingly connect with others around them.

Resilience and confidence

Through sharing stories and experiences of living in North St Marys, residents have learned of their shared resilience and ability to withstand adversity. Many participants report now feeling more confident to stand up for themselves, and ask for support when needed. Participants have been able to offer each other peer to peer support and advice about the challenges of ageing and have supported each other to grow in confidence and learn new things to try in everyday life.

Wellbeing

Overall, residents have reported an increase in their overall mental and physical wellbeing. Through attending the Village Café, residents have learned about the services available to support them as they age, as well as the behaviours they can enact themselves on a daily basis. Many people are reporting that they are now regularly walking, making time to see neighbours, and cooking healthier meals. Many have stated that having access to fresh food at the Village Café has greatly supported them as there are few options in North St Marys and traveling for shopping can be difficult.

The Village Café has helped to develop genuine levels of trust and connection between Council, services and residents. Residents have been able to connect with the same staff members over the course of the café which has helped residents to reach out when they need additional support. A number of residents have received support from services they had not previously been connected with.

“My doctor told me I have to walk 30 minutes a day… After doing the stability walk and exercises at Village Café, I feel more confident and have been walking 6 days of the week.”

- Feedback from a female resident during Village Café.

Residents participate in a stability walk with exercise physiologist Elly Williams from Uniting Home and Community Care.

Partnership

The Village Café has brought together a number of service providers and formed a strong partnership between the organisations and workers involved in the project delivery. The services involved have contributed significantly to the quality and outcomes of the project, as well as contributed significant value through in kind contributions.

There are 6 key partner agencies supporting the project each playing a specific role in the delivery including providing staff at each café. The Community Project Officer, a part-time position within the Neighbourhood Renewal team, was funded through the NSW Liveable Communities 2016-17 Grant and provides project support to the partner agencies and coordinates the logistics of the Village Café.

Organisation	Role	Responsibilities
Penrith City Council (PCC): Place Management and Community and Cultural Development	Project Leader	Coordinates the project, bring partners together, provide necessary insurance and risk management and lead with participatory practice and stakeholder engagement.
Community Junction (CJ)–	Lead Support Agency	Supports residents to have a meaningful say in the direction of the project, and provides support and referrals.
Uniting – Ability Links (AL)	Project Partner	Supports residents with disabilities and offers a point of referral and connection to residents requiring ongoing support.
Uniting Home and Community Care	Project Partner	Coordinates support and responses to residents requiring home and community care, and provides an exercise physiologist at Village Café sessions with the purpose of improving physical activity and mobility for the participants.
Westcare	Food Security Lead Agency	Supplies fresh produce to the café sessions and staff who refer residents to emergency relief services.
The Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBM LHD)	Project Partner	Coordinates a range of local health service providers, government and non-government, to provide health promotion and health screening opportunities.
Wentworth Health Care –Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network (NPB PHN)	Project Partner	Coordinates communication and cross promotion with local GP services and appropriate health referrals to residents.

Funding and future delivery

The Village Café in North St Marys is currently funded by the NSW Government Liveable Communities Grant until March 2018. The $59,536 grant has provided funds to employ a Community Projects Officer (14 hours per week), run 10 sessions of the café in North St Marys as well as engage an artist and exercise physiologist to work directly with residents. The project has also been successful in leveraging significant in-kind contributions from external partners, to the value of $32,000.

Both residents and services have identified there is a need to continue the project in order to deepen the outcomes for the North St Marys community. Taking the time to foster relationships, learn about residents, and build trust has been paramount to the success of the project and serves as a base to deliver further social impact.

The Village Café model has proven to be successful at delivering positive social cohesion and wellbeing outcomes for vulnerable residents, and is actively helping to reduce social isolation in one of Penrith’s most disadvantaged communities. There is now an opportunity to expand the project into other priority neighbourhoods across the city in order to reach a greater number of vulnerable older people.

Council officers has recently prepared a further submission for funds from the NSW Government Liveable Communities 2017-18 Grant under the “Replicate and Sustain” category which offers up to $100,000 for projects that demonstrate sustainable outcomes for project participants. These funds are for one year only and after 2019 the grants will no longer be available. The application is requesting $97,865.00 to continue the Village Café in North St Marys and to expand it into Kingswood and then Llandilo, both areas with significant aged populations with identified poor health outcomes for people over 50.

“Participants I speak to enjoy the café and the social connections it’s created. One of them has even gained work at another Council event, teaching kids to crochet at Grandparents Day, which was personally very meaningful for her.”

- Pani, Ability Linker with Uniting – Ability Links

Residents learning about Council’s Library Services at Village Café.

The project partners are committed to continuing their in-kind contributions and involvement in the future delivery of the Village Café.

Council officers will search for alternative funding sources, such as sponsorships, for the costs of delivering the Village Café, should the Liveable Communities 2017-18 grant application be unsuccessful. A bid for internal resources has also been put forward through the 2018-19 RAR process.

Based on the impact of the current delivery of Village Café, staff are confident the project will continue to have a positive impact on older people and further contribute to the wellbeing of additional communities across Penrith City.

Conclusion

The Village Café is an innovative collective impact project showing early success in supporting vulnerable older people in North St Marys to improve their wellbeing. Currently the project is funded by the NSW Government’s Liveable Communities Grant which will conclude in March 2017. Neighbourhood Renewal and Community Cultural Development have identified a need for the project to continue and is seeking funding for the 2017-18 NSW Government’s Liveable Communities Grant.

RECOMMENDATION

That:

1. The information contained in the report on The Village Cafe North St Marys - Progress and Future be received.

2. Council endorse an application to the NSW Government Liveable Communities Grant 2017-18 for the continuation and expansion of the Village Café project.

ATTACHMENTS/APPENDICES

There are no attachments for this report.

Policy Review Committee Meeting 12 February 2018

Lawn Section Burials in Council Operated Cemeteries

Compiled by: Andrew Robinson, Facilities Manager

Lynda Lowe, Cemeteries Supervisor

Authorised by: Brian Steffen, Executive Manager - City Assets

Outcome	We have safe, vibrant places
Strategy	Make our public places safe and attractive
Service Activity	Manage Council's cemeteries

Executive Summary

A report was presented to Council’s Ordinary Meeting on 18 December 2017 presenting a Cemeteries Strategy/Business Review and revised Cemeteries Policy for Council operated Cemeteries.

The Cemetery Strategy and Business Review (the Strategy) emphasised the need to maximise capacity within Penrith City Council operated cemeteries given a 30 year theoretical supply of burial sites remaining. Penrith Cemetery is the only cemetery with new burial plots available. To this effect the Strategy recommended that all new sections in Penrith Cemetery be all lawn sections, non-denominational and available at need only. Provision of lawn sections is a continuation of previous Council endorsed practice first adopted in 2006 to ensure the sustainable supply of burial sites. An amended Cemeteries Policy has been developed which defines that all new burial sections that are established are to be non-denominational lawn burial sites.

The Strategy also recommended providing increasing options for memorialisation. Masterplans were developed in association with the Strategy to reflect the continued provision of lawn sections only and a range of options to increase memorialisation opportunities.

At the Ordinary Meeting on 18 December, Council endorsed the recommendations in the Strategy and associated masterplans as well as the new Cemeteries Policy. Council also resolved that:

‘A further report be presented to the Policy Review Committee regarding not providing lawn sections only in Council cemeteries for future burial sites/plots.’

This report recommends that the information regarding lawn burial sites be received and, that Council provide all new burial sections as non-denominational lawn burial sites on an at need basis.

Background

At Council’s Ordinary Meeting on 4 December 2006, a report to Council recommended that to ensure Penrith Cemetery could effectively provide community burial sites for the next 50 years, pre-purchase cease and all new sections established be lawn and non-denominational. Council adopted this recommendation and operational practice has been implemented to this effect.

The adopted Penrith Valley Cemeteries Action Plan (2010) and the Cemeteries Plans of Management (2012) supported the decision made in 2006.

Current Situation

There are a range of memorialisation options available in Penrith City Council operated cemeteries.

In the last two years there have been 86 at need lawn section burials, almost double the 47 at need monumental burials. Penrith Cemetery currently has three Memorial gardens, providing 330 sites for ashes placements. In addition, Emu Plains and Penrith Cemeteries have columbarium walls available for ashes placements. Emu Plains Cemetery has two wall providing 200 sites for ashes placement and Penrith Cemetery has four walls providing 758 ashes sites. The masterplans include options for more walls, including at St Marys Cemetery.

There are currently two types of lawn burial sections available at Penrith Cemetery which have been designed to maximise the number of burial plots to ensure a sustainable supply for the future. Both sections have a pre-poured concrete beam at the head of the burial site which allows for a headstone or a bronze plaque to be placed on the concrete beam, each plot is 1000mm wide and stamped with the number of the plot, the burial plot is left as lawn.

Lawn Section – Bronze Plaque on Concrete Beam

Lawn Section – Headstone on Concrete Beam

The family engage the services of a monumental mason to construct a headstone or monument of their choice, the monumental mason assists the family with the design and wording of the headstone for the family to personalise the memorial to their loved one.

The lawn sections provide easier access for grieving families and provide cost effective alternatives to monumental sections, as well as allow options in terms of type of memorialisation. Operationally, the lawn sections do not require piers, footings or passage ways, enabling maximum plots per row. There is better access available for machinery, and maintenance can be undertaken more efficiently.

Lawn headstone and plaque sections are common in most cemeteries. Other cemeteries have stricter guidelines compared to those in place at Penrith Operated Cemeteries in regard to the height, width and type of headstones. In addition, plaque lawn sections at a number of other cemeteries have the bronze plaques placed on the ground not a concrete beam.

Should families wish for a monumental burial, there are currently 120 at need sites remaining at Penrith Cemetery. Monumental burial sites have a full granite monument placed over the entire site. Each site requires a passageway of 1.5 metres for machinery access. The construction of monuments require piers and footings and the ground must settle before any construction can take place, which can take up to 12 months.

Conclusion

Council’s cemetery service currently manages around 200 burials annually and does so with an excellent reputation in the funeral industry. The recently Council endorsed Cemetery Strategy and Business Review, associated masterplans and renewed Cemeteries Policy, have determined that all new sections in Penrith Cemetery are to be all lawn sections, non-denominational and available at need. This remains consistent with Council’s position since 2006, and operational practice since that time.

By adopting this approach, combined with implementation of the Cemetery masterplans, which include other options for memorialisation, it will continue to be possible to maximise capacity of Council operated cemeteries. Currently there is a theoretical 30 year supply of burial sites.

RECOMMENDATION

That:

1. The information contained in the report on Lawn Section Burials in Council Operated Cemeteries be received.

2. Council provide all new burial sections as non-denominational lawn burial sites on an at need basis.

ATTACHMENTS/APPENDICES

There are no attachments for this report.