LGNSW is inviting council staff involved in operational cemetery management to join its new Local Government Cemeteries Network, to share information, best practice and any concerns as the new cemetery licensing scheme for NSW rolls out.
Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW (CCNSW) has recently published its new Interment Industry Scheme, which includes a licensing framework all cemetery and crematoria operators will be required to comply with.
All cemeteries including those operated by councils will be required to apply for a licence, which will be categorised by the number of interments. The new licence conditions will commence in stages and will take effect from July 2023, with pricing conditions taking effect from July 2024 to align to councils’ annual budgetary cycle.
CCNSW has released a series of templates and factsheets and will continue to release guidance to assist operators transition to the new scheme.
All cemeteries will be required to comply with the new scheme, and council-cemeteries provide around half of all burials across NSW.
To assist councils, LGNSW is establishing a Local Government Cemeteries Network and online forum for council staff. This group will be particularly useful for councils as the new interment scheme commences and will also guide LGNSW in our advocacy on behalf of the local government sector.
Council staff involved in cemetery management and interested in being part of the new cemeteries network are encouraged to email communitypolicy@lgnsw.org.au with your name, council email and job title.
Further information on the interment reforms are available online.
