The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia is urging Greek Australians to take action for the preservation and expansion of burial space at Botany Cemetery in the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park at Matraville.
It is estimated that the cemetery will be filled to capacity within eight years, as spaces in Australian cemeteries are quickly diminishing.
To combat this, the Trust at Botany Cemetery developed a proposal so that 60 per cent of suitable vacant land adjacent to the existing Botany Cemetery at Matraville, known as the ‘Market Garden site’, can be used for burial purposes.
But earlier this year, the Randwick City Council released the Draft Randwick Local Environmental Plan 2012 (DLEP) which, if approved, will limit the amount of burial space in this part of Sydney and prohibit the ‘Market Garden Site’ from being used as a cemetery.
His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos has written to the NSW State Government supporting the view that the ‘Market Garden Site’ be used for burial purposes, and stated his views were also supported by clergy of the Roman Catholic church and the Jewish faith.
The Archdiocese fears that the approval of the Draft will inevitably lead to future burials taking place in cemeteries located west of Penrith or Katoomba due to lack of space. Due to this, the Archdiocese has launched a campaign – sending letters to Randwick Council in an effort of maintain the Botany Cemetery as close to Matraville as possible and ensure it has adequate burial space in the future.
Members of the Greek community are being urged to express their opinion on the preservation and expansion of the cemetery by sending a letter to the Randwick Council. All action must be taken before Monday 2 April.